Employment of Foreigners in Slovakia Reaches Record High
According to statistics from the Central Office of the Labour, Social Affairs and Family (the UPSVAR), in June 2023 the total number of employed foreigners in Slovakia reached its highest level ever reported, standing at 97,263. This represents a remarkable growth of 68% since June 2018, which saw 57,998 foreigners employed.
Nationalities and Sustainable Development Goals
- Ukrainians: With the recent arrival of large numbers of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, Ukrainians are the most represented nationality within this group. Their number is 36,929 as of June.
- Serbians: Serbians come second with a total of 9,967 employed foreigners in Slovakia.
- EU nationals: Among EU nationals, Romanians have the highest number of employment with 7,257 individuals.
Despite certain legal barriers to employment for third-country nationals in the country, further fast growth is expected.
Market Shortages and Professions in Demand
The labour market in Slovakia is undergoing transformation and developing fast, resulting in market shortages. Nationwide, there are currently almost 100,000 available jobs that companies are finding hard to fill, particularly in the automotive and agriculture industries. The UPSVAR also reports shortages in various professions depending on the region, including care workers, doctors, medical specialists, nurses, drivers, warehouse operators, plumbers, and many others.
Due to these shortages, the employment of foreign nationals in Slovakia is increasingly receiving attention in public discourse and at the political level.
Challenges and Conservative Approach
While employers and civil society call for the simplification of migration legislation to facilitate migrant access to the labour market, there remains a conservative attitude among policymakers. Migration and integration policies are relatively strict, and for many foreign nationals, using or securing recognition of qualifications obtained abroad remains difficult. This is evident among Ukrainian professionals granted temporary protection in Slovakia due to the ongoing war, where many doctors, nurses, and teachers are employed in low-skilled positions.
The main argument for the continued conservative approach to migration legislation is the need to regulate and manage migration flows effectively. However, it is important to consider the dimensions of human rights, integration, and equal opportunities. Promoting migrants’ stability of stay, potential in the future, use of qualifications gained abroad, and access to different dimensions of society are crucial for the country to benefit from migration. The generally decreasing economically active population and pressures from the labour market will likely force policymakers to reconsider the relevant legislation soon.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration | Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the employment of foreign nationals in Slovakia and the labor market shortages in various industries. This is directly related to SDG 8, which aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions the existence of legal barriers to employment for third-country nationals in Slovakia, indicating potential inequalities in access to the labor market. SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequalities, including those related to migration and mobility.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the conservative approach to migration legislation in Slovakia and the challenges faced by foreign nationals in using or securing recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. SDG 16 aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions, including effective migration policies and equal opportunities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
The article discusses the labor market shortages in Slovakia, indicating a need to achieve full and productive employment. It also mentions the employment of foreign nationals, highlighting the importance of equal pay for work of equal value.
Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
The article mentions the conservative attitude among policymakers towards migration legislation and the need to regulate and manage migration flows effectively. Target 10.7 focuses on facilitating safe and responsible migration through well-managed policies.
Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
The article mentions the challenges faced by foreign nationals in securing recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. Target 16.9 emphasizes the importance of providing legal identity for all, including recognition of qualifications.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
The article mentions the employment of foreign nationals and the need for equal pay for work of equal value. Indicator 8.5.1 can be used to measure progress towards achieving equal pay by comparing average hourly earnings across different groups.
Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination
The article mentions the existence of legal barriers to employment for third-country nationals in Slovakia. Indicator 10.7.1 can be used to measure progress towards reducing inequalities in access to the labor market by assessing the recruitment costs borne by employees.
Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age
The article highlights the challenges faced by foreign nationals in using or securing recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. Indicator 16.9.1 can be used to measure progress towards providing legal identity and recognition of qualifications by assessing the proportion of births registered with a civil authority.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | Indicator 10.7.1: Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of monthly income earned in country of destination |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration | Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age |
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Source: ec.europa.eu
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