Fico: The government will discuss the problems of the automotive industry at the beginning of July, the EU is not helping with energy prices

Bratislava – A special meeting of the government of the Slovak Republic regarding the problems of the automotive industry in Slovakia could take place at the beginning of July this year. This was stated on social media by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) regarding his meeting on Monday with representatives of the automotive sector. The so-called short-time work, which would help with the problems of car manufacturers in Slovakia, could be discussed in parliament as early as the May session, TASR reports.

“Today, we had important guests at the government office – representatives of the automotive industry, which plays a key role in the Slovak economy. We are all troubled by high energy prices, for which the European Union (EU) offers us no practical solutions. On the contrary, by pressuring to stop energy supplies from the east, EU authorities are creating conditions for further increases in gas prices purely for political reasons, which also affects the development of electricity prices,” announced the Prime Minister.

According to Fico, the “automotive captains” also pointed out during the meeting the shortcomings in ensuring a sufficient number of qualified labor forces, including those from abroad, and the specific problems of the automotive industry in processing industrial waste. He specified that the meeting was dominated by the topic of the impact of the American 25% tariffs on cars produced in Europe.

“Let us realize that Slovakia has such a high concentration of car production that when we use the data on the number of cars produced per citizen of the Slovak Republic, we are world leaders. American tariffs significantly threaten employment in Slovakia. Therefore, we discussed whether in the given situation it would be more appropriate to resort to partial payment for employees who will not be able to start at the production lines due to a lack of orders, the so-called short-time work, rather than allowing their dismissal with serious social consequences,” he emphasized.

The government also wants to focus on utilizing EU funds to support the automotive industry or to introduce mechanisms like scrappage schemes at the European level.

“At least at this moment, I can confirm that we are intensively examining the legislative and financial options for the relevant legislative changes leading to the aforementioned short-time work. Such a change, if allowed by the ongoing consolidation of public finances, where we have to make cuts and not new expenditures, could be approved in a fast-tracked legislative process at the May session of parliament,” Fico announced.

However, he reiterated that a thorough discussion will be necessary in the government and added that he also offered representatives of the automotive industry in Slovakia a special government meeting to address the challenges facing car production.

“We had such a government in February 2024, and I believe that after agreement and in cooperation with the involved companies and the relevant association, we will be able to organize such a government at the beginning of July this year,” the Prime Minister stated. (May 5)

” When we use the data on the number of cars produced per citizen of the Slovak Republic, we are world leaders. American tariffs significantly threaten employment in Slovakia. Therefore, we discussed whether in the given situation it would be more appropriate to resort to partial payment for employees who will not be able to start at the production lines due to a lack of orders, the so-called short-time work, rather than allowing their dismissal with serious social consequences.” Robert Fico.