The AmCham Legislative and Policy Update
Legislative and Policy Update - December 2011
- SLOVAK REPUBLIC | - | EUROPEAN UNION |
BUDGET: European countries are heading towards new, more strict and enforceable rules which should lead to more accountable and stricter budget policy. After this week's meeting of EU finance ministers, the progress in negotiations is considerable. Slovakia managed to successfully advocate some of its demands on reviewing countries’ budgets or stricter assessment of public-private partnership projects, mainly from the viewpoint of sustainability of public finances. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 26, 2012). CENSUS: The disclosure of the first results of the census is problematic. The Statistics Office is not able to say when they will be published. It was planned that the figures would be disclosed in early December but the publication was later put off to early 2012. However, the figures are not yet available. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 20, 2012). DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: On January 18, 2012 the Cabinet approved the National Programme of Official Development Assistance, Slovak Republic for 2012 which is aimed mainly at Help to the poorest; Looking for new opportunities in cooperation with partner countries; The creation and strengthening of domestic capacities. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 18, 2012). EDUCATION: On January 18, 2012 the Cabinet approved the National Strategy for Global Education for the period of 2012 – 2016. The main goal is to include the objectives, principles and themes of the global education to the state education programs. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 18, 2012). EDUCATION: On January 11, 2012 the Cabinet was informed about the Report on the State of Education in the Slovak Republic formulated for the period 2009 – 2011 which deals mailnly with content, approach and legislation. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 11, 2012). ENERGY: As the Parliamentary Economy Committee failed to debate the draft amendments to revisions of energy laws that shall transpose the Third Energy Package into the Slovak legal system, and as the Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional and Legal Affairs did not support them, Slovakia may be penalize by the European Union. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 26, 2012). ENVIRONMENT: On January 18, 2012 the Cabinet approved the National Action Plan for Green Public Procurement in the Slovak Republic for the years 2011 to 2015. Under the initiative of the Europe 2020 "Resource efficient Europe" the Commission determined intention to improve the framework the use of market based instruments (e.g. emissions trading arrangements for the taxation of energy, a framework for state aid, encouraging wider use of green public procurement). At national level, one of the obligation to "use regulation, building performance standards and market-based instruments such as taxation, subsidies and procurement to reduce energy consumption and resource use, and use structural funds to investing in energy efficiency in public buildings and the efficient recycling. Therefore, the use of green public procurement is one of the important factors in achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 at the national level. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 18, 2012). EU FUNDS: The European Commission together with Slovak authorities have presented a common road map that aims to simplify implementation of programs in the European Regional Development Fund and EU Cohesion Fund in Slovakia. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 26, 2012). EUROFUNDS: On January 11, 2012 the Cabinet was informed about the results of inspections and audits of public procurement in cooperation with the authorities involved in the implementation, verification, control and audit of EU funds for the period of 2010. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 11, 2012). HEALTHCARE: Medical trade unionists demand from Speaker of Parliament Pavol Hrusovsky to persuade the government to withdraw its draft amendment to the law on health care providers from the parliamentary agenda. If approved, the amendment would give the right to the government to end a strike of health care workers in case that it threatens citizens' lives and health. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 26, 2012). HEALTHCARE: Reviewing a draft revision of the Act on Protection, Support and Development of Public Health submitted by the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family demands that all parts governing occupational medical service be dropped from the material. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 20, 2012). IMMUNITY: Speaker of Parliament Pavol Hrusovsky (KDH) insists on discussing the proposal to cancel deputy immunity from prosecution at the last scheduled parliamentary session before the elections, starting January 31. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 23, 2012). INVESTMENT: Foreign investors are eying Slovakia. The companies could open nearly 900 jobs in ailing regions with higher jobless rate being in discussions with Belgium, France and Germany. Eastern Investment Centers promotes Slovakia among investors and negotiates with the state on their behalf. According to Rottiers, the three potential investors could set up their business in eastern Slovakia. Eastern Investment Centers is also in talks with an engineering company that is eying the region of Orava and its surroundings. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 25, 2012). INVESTMENT: The town of Skalica situated in the region of Zahorie may become Slovakia’s No. 1 hub of gas boiler production. The supranational group Vaillant Group decided to expand production at its factory located there and build a new logistics center. “The onset of production at the Skalica-based plant will end in November. We will create some 80 new jobs all told,” confirms Director of Protherm Production, part of the group that operates in more than 70 countries worldwide. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 25, 2012). INVESTMENT: Nitra-based LCD screen manufacturer Foxconn started to dismiss employees on Friday. As many as 430 staffers have already signed their notices. The company notified the labor office in Nitra of the collective layoff that could close 600 jobs. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 20, 2012). INVESTMENT: Steel giant ThyssenKrupp has made a crucial decision. It wants to land its 98-million euro investment project in Slovakia and will thus create more than 1,000 jobs. The HN business daily found that the company delivered its investment plan to the Economy Ministry at the year’s beginning. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 20, 2012). JUSTICE: On January 11, 2012 the Minister of Justice informed the Cabinet about the results of analysis which deals with usability of an electronic commercial registration for legal purposes. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 11, 2012). LABOR: Labor productivity in Slovakia was the highest in the region in 2010, based on the latest data released by the EU Statistical Office, the Eurostat. An average employee in Slovakia generated nominal added value of EUR 30,500 in 2010, the amount generated by an average employee in the Czech Republic was EUR 1,000 lower. Employee in Slovakia works 1,930 hours a year on average, a Czech 1,936 hours and a Pole almost 2,000 hours. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 19, 2012). RATING: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Friday lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the Slovak Republic to 'A' from 'A+'. The outlook is stable. Some other euro zone members saw a rating downgrade, as well. For instance, France and Austria lost their triple-A ratings. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 16, 2012). SOCIAL: On January 11, 2011 the Slovak Parliament approved the Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Roma Integration by 2020. The strategy responds to the needs to address and deal with the challenges of the social inclusion of the Roma communities also at the European Union level. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 11, 2012). TOURISM: On January 11, 2011 the Slovak Parliament approved the Protocol on Sustainable Tourism as a part of the Framework to Sustainable Development of Karpaty. Through different measures Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic believes to increase the interest in Karpaty. For more information visit: www.rokovania.sk (January 11, 2012). TOURISM: The company Tatry Mountains Resorts (TMR) reported a consolidated profit of EUR 9.2 million in the fiscal year 2010/2011 up 60 percent y/y. TMR informed that its operating revenues grew 53 percent over the last business year to some EUR 40 million. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 25, 2012). TELECOM: If within a reasonable time the revision is not passed to the law on electric communications that would allow the telecommunications market regulator Telecommunications Office to allocate frequencies in an electronic auction, the regulator will assign the frequencies in 800 MHz band (digital dividend), 1,800 MHz and 2,600 MHz band using a classic selection procedure. For more information visit: www.sita.sk (January 25, 2012). | ANTI-FRAUD: On January 24, 2012 the European Parliament has approved the appointment of the new members of the Supervisory Committee of the European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF. The Supervisory Committee reinforces the independence of the European Anti-Fraud Office by carrying out regular monitoring of the implementation of the investigative function. At the request of OLAF, the Committee delivers opinions to the Director concerning OLAF’s activities, but does not interfere in the conduct of ongoing investigations. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/39). DATA: The Commission proposes a comprehensive reform of EU data protection rules. The Commission will adopt proposals to update and modernize the principles enshrined in the 1995 Data Protection Directive to guarantee privacy rights in the future. The proposals will focus on reinforcing individuals' rights, strengthening the EU internal market, ensuring a high level of data protection in all areas (including police and criminal justice cooperation), ensuring proper enforcement of the rules and setting global data-protection standards. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (AGENDA/12/3). ECONOMY: On January 19, 2012 the economic outlook for EU industry has deteriorated. According to the January 2012 report, in the last three months to November 2011, manufacturing production was some 1% higher than a year ago, but also 1% below the level registered in the preceding three months. Manufacturing output is still 13% higher than its trough in early 2009 and some 9% below its former peak in early 2008. Output has surpassed its earlier peak in pharmaceuticals, other transport equipment, beverages and food. However, most of the sectors are again declining with the biggest contractions in production occurring in textiles, furniture, leather, printing and computer industries. Recent data and forecasts for services, including tourism, remain positive, but their performance will depend on the general economic situation. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/33). ENERGY: The European Economic and Social Committee, which is the EU advisory body representing the civil society, has on January 18, 2012 approved the idea of setting up a European Energy Community in a bid to regain lost momentum in completing an EU-wide internal energy market and shaping a common, strategic approach to energy issues. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (CES/12/2). ENVIRONMENT: Full implementation of EU waste legislation would save €72 billion a year, increase the annual turnover of the EU waste management and recycling sector by €42 billion and create over 400,000 jobs by 2020 according to a European Commission study published today. Illegal waste operations in Member States are causing missed opportunities for economic growth, but stronger national inspections and better knowledge about waste management would bring major improvements. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/18). EU: Commission calls for savings in EU Institutions. In 2013, it intends to reduce the number of posts in its establishment plans by 1%, as the first step towards a 5% staff reduction over the next five years. Also in 2012, the Commission voluntarily froze its own administrative expenditure, i.e. a 0.0% nominal increase compared to the 2011 budget. This was achieved by significantly reducing expenditure linked to buildings, information and communication technology, studies, publications, missions, conferences and meetings. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/35). EU: The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide public debate on corporate restructuring and anticipating change. The aim is to identify successful practices and policies in the field of restructuring and adapting to change. The results will feed into the upcoming employment package and should help to improve further cooperation between workers and employers' representatives, government, local and regional authorities and the EU institutions. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/23). EU LEGISLATION: On January 3, 2012 the European Commission gives citizens, businesses and non-governmental organizations at least 12 weeks to comment on plans for new policies and legislation, compared to 8 weeks previously. This will make it easier for them to get involved in EU policy-making at an early stage. The Commission has also introduced an alert service for upcoming initiatives: Organizations that sign up for the Transparency Register, can subscribe to this alert service to get early information on the roadmaps for new initiatives in their fields of interest about one year before there adoption. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/1). EU LEGISLATION: On January 10, 2012 the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) sets out his priorities for 2012 in the area of legislative consultation. The EDPS central mission in the field of consultation is to give advice on three main areas: the revision of the legal framework for data protection, technological developments and the Digital Agenda, and further developing the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. In addition, the EDPS has identified financial sector reform as an area of strategic importance for 2012. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (EDPS/12/1). EU LEGISLATION: On January 25, 2012 the European Commission has proposed a comprehensive reform of the EU's 1995 data protection rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe's digital economy. A single law will do away with the current fragmentation and costly administrative burdens, leading to savings for businesses of around €2.3 billion a year. The initiative will help reinforce consumer confidence in online services, providing a much needed boost to growth, jobs and innovation in Europe. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/46). INTELECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: The Commission is closely monitoring developments in EU Member States and other countries in the field of intellectual property rights and online piracy, including the current debate in the US Congress on proposed legislation. EU Commission is currently working the services to revise the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement directive. It is the Commission's intention to propose a revised directive by the end of 2012. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (MEMO/12/28). MIGRATION: The European Ombudsman has helped settle a dispute between the European Commission and the NGO Migration Policy Group (MPG) concerning an EU project launched as part of the "European Migration Dialogue". After an audit, the Commission eventually accepted a solution proposal from the Ombudsman and refunded EUR 70 000 to the NGO. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (EO/12/3). RESEARCH: With a budget over €660 million, the European Research Council is funding 294 top researchers in the fourth competition for its coveted Advanced Grants. These established scientists will perform ground-breaking 'blue sky' research over the coming five years across Europe. Open to all domains, the grants are worth up to €3.5 million each. The demand for ERC funding is still on the rise; the number of applications increased by 13% compared to the last Advanced Grant call. The projects selected cover a wide array of topics, for instance new treatments of visual impairment, and a better use of sustainable fuels for automotive and aeronautic engines. The projects will be carried out in universities or research institutions in 20 countries across Europe. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (MEX/12/0124). SME: On January 16, 2012 the European Commission published a study analyzing the important role small and medium sized enterprises play in creating more and better jobs. SMEs provide a vital contribution to the European economy, being responsible for more than two thirds of the total employment in the private sectors and 85% of the net job growth. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (MEMO/12/11). SOCIAL: More than five million Europeans under the age of 25 cannot find work. The Commission is determined to play its part in addressing this unacceptable reality. The initiative contains ideas for mobilising EU funding for a Youth Guarantee, for skills development and for boosting labour mobility, as well as concrete actions Member States can take to tackle this issue as part of their 2012 National Reform Programmes. EU funds can still be reprogrammed to give priority to youth employment. The Commission stands ready to support these efforts in any way it can. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (MEMO/12/33). TAX: The proposal adopted on January 13, 2012 means that doing business in more than one Member State would no more mean dealing with several tax administrations in different languages from January 2015. The first step is a One Stop Shop for all electronically delivered services that will benefit businesses. The One Stop Shop approach for EU trade across borders will be applied first to e-commerce, broadcasting and telecom services. In the future the Commission will seek to extend the One Stop Shop step by step to other goods and services. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (IP/12/17). TOURISM: In 2011, the number of nights spent in hotels and similar establishments in the EU27 reached a peak of 1.6 billion nights, up by 3.8% compared with 2010. The evolution of the number of nights spent in hotels in the EU27 showed alternating phases of growth and decline over the last decade. After a low point in 2003, the number of nights spent grew steadily for four successive years. In 2008 and 2009, the number of nights spent in the EU27 fell, but in 2010 began to recover from the crisis to reach a new record in 2011 for both nights spent by residents and by non-residents. For more information visit: www.europa.eu (STAT/12/13). | |
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Legislative and Policy Update - November 2011
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Legislative and Policy Update - October
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Legislative and Policy Update - September 2011
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