Background information

The number of migrants increased threefold between 2013 and 2023 in Slovenia, resulting in significant pressure on administrative units and subsequent delays in the issuance of permits. The issue reached a crisis point during the pandemic, and did not abate following the cessation of lockdown measures. Delays are causing uncertainty for migrants whose status is pending while they wait for documents. Furthermore, businesses that rely on the recruitment of migrant labourers have also been vocal in expressing their discontent. In an effort to expedite the process of issuing permits to foreign workers, the government has implemented a series of novel regulations.

Content of measure

To speed up the process of issuing permits for migrants, the government adopted the Law on Measures to Optimise Certain Procedures at Administrative Units (Zakon o ukrepih za optimizacijo določenih postopkov na upravnih enotah, ZUOPUE) in July 2024. The law introduced a permanent measure that abolished the territorial jurisdiction of administrative units. In the past, foreigners had to submit their documents at the administrative unit where they were living. The recently enacted legislation facilitates the registration of residence and work permits at any local administrative unit, irrespective of the territorial jurisdiction. This measure was implemented as a permanent solution, with the objective of alleviating the burden on the busiest units in larger cities. The law also established a provisional measure, which was valid until 31 December 2024. The measure permitted non-nationals to legally work and reside in Slovenia after obtaining a certificate of application from the administrative unit and an information sheet from the Employment Service. The measure was implemented for foreign workers who are nationals of the visa-free countries (i.e. migrants from the Western Balkan countries). The temporary measure was also applied to foreign nationals whose applications for international protection had been refused, if they were in employment at the time and had been covered by the social insurance system on the basis of employment for a minimum of nine months prior to the refusal of their application for international protection.

Use of measure

Data on the effectiveness of the measure are not yet available. The optimisation of the administrative procedure has been generally well received. The government claimed that the measure had a positive impact on increasing the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy. The measure has also made it easier for migrant workers to submit documents to administrative units that are less overloaded.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Migrants or refugees in employment	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No data available. Negotiations in the Economic and Social Council resumed on 28 June 2024 after being blocked for almost a year by employers' organisations, a few days after the adoption of the Law on Measures to Optimise Certain Procedures at Administrative Units.

Views and reactions

For several years, officials in local administrative units have complained about the workload caused by the large influx of foreign workers. In November 2023, administrative units went on strike, demanding higher wages and more employees to make up for labour shortages. The ZUOPUE law and negotiations with the government helped to end the strike in July 2024. Administrative units have been working normally since 8 July. However, they have not yet managed to clear the backlog of permits for foreign workers.

Sources

• 15 November 2023: The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia, The call of the lowest paid civil servants is not being heard (Poziv najslabše plačanih javnih uradnikov preslišan (www.zsss.si)
• 24 July 2024: Law on Measures to Optimise Certain Procedures at Administrative Units (Zakon o ukrepih za optimizacijo določenih postopkov na upravnih enotah, ZUOPUE) (pisrs.si)
• 24 July 2024: Government of the RS, The law enters into force tomorrow (Jutri začne veljati Zakon o ukrepih za optimizacijo določenih postopkov na upravnih enotah (www.gov.si)