BRATISLAVA, July 14, (WEBNOVINY) — President Ivan Gasparovic has not decided yet whether he will sign the amendment to the Labor Code that the parliament passed on Wednesday. He want to familiarize himself with the changes that the ruling coalition incorporated in it via approved amending proposals. Gasparovic told journalists on Thursday that he has fifteen days to do so and he will observe this deadline. The head of state met with Speaker of Parliament Richard Sulik (SaS) on Thursday. He said he would tell Sulik if he has serious reservations.
Gasparovic said he does have objections to how the amendment was approved. The coalition passed the draft from the Labor Ministy’s workroom with 74 votes thanks to abstentions of four ordinary People MPs, who are part of the SaS parliamentary caucus except for their leader Igor Matovic who is independent. Sulik however believes that the legislative process was undoubtedly legitimate. He underscore that to pass a law, a simple majority is enough and the draft was passed exactly like that.
Sulik did not specify whether he would convene lawmakers for an unscheduled session in case that the head of state vetoes the amendment so that it can come into force as of September 1 of this year as scheduled.
Seventy-four coalition deputies voted on July 13 to pass the amendment to the Labor Code with the aim to increase flexibility of the labor market and curb unemployment. The opposition however argues that the new wording goes against employees and trade unions and will worsen their status and erode their social certainty.
SITA