Fico Rejects Idea of Slovakia Ending Up Like West in Terms of Migration

Bratislava, 3 November (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has convened a meeting with representatives of the Interior Ministry, the foreigners police and the Labour Office Centre, who are involved in the state's policy on the employment of people from third countries, stating on social media that he refuses to allow Slovakia to end up like the West in terms of the consequences that unregulated and illegal migration has brought it. "Employers are seeking to fill more than 130,000 job vacancies, which, despite the state's active efforts and an unemployment rate of 4 percent, we're currently unable to meet," wrote Fico, adding that he understands the needs of the labour market, which contributes to Slovakia's GDP, but, according to him, these can't take precedence over the safety of Slovaks. Slovakia already has among the strictest rules for admitting and deporting workers from third countries, claimed the premier. "Through the security services, these arrangements thoroughly check and monitor every single person both before and during their temporary stay for work in the Slovak Republic," he said. "Nevertheless, we've agreed today to draw up measures such as capping the number of temporary workers from selected third countries, strengthening the foreigners police and introducing further regulations to guarantee public safety, hand in hand with even more active efforts to help the long-term unemployed in Slovakia," said Fico. am/df