Slovak govt party opposes PM's labour code plans

...Robert Fico on Friday for a plan to change the labour code to better protect workers.

Fico's leftist Smer party won a June election on promises of social reforms and improved welfare, but his coalition partners -- the SNS and the centre-left HZDS party -- have bitterly resisted some of his proposals.

Those tensions flared again on Friday when SNS leader Jan Slota opposed labour code amendments prepared by Social Affairs Minister Viera Tomanova. He said the changes favoured trade unions too much over the rights of employers.

"We are convinced that the labour code is a two-way street... where there is a way both for employers and trade unions," SITA news agency quoted Slota as saying after a party meeting in northern Slovakia.

"Without creating (proper) conditions for employers, there will not be employment and prosperity."

The ministry proposal has already drawn fierce criticism from businesses, which said the country has to keep flexible job market rules to attract foreign investors and close a wide wealth gap with more developed EU member states.

Fico has said the final version of the labour code draft may be different from the initial outline, but he has repeatedly stressed the protection of workers as his top priority.

Analysts said Slota's criticism of the labour code was a natural result of the three ruling parties' differing agendas but they do not expect the issue to threaten the ruling pact.

"This is not a matter that would break the coalition," political commentator Marian Lesko said.