Slovenia to pass two-year transition for Croatian workers

(LJUBLJANA) - Recession-hit Slovenia said Thursday it will put in place a two-year transition period prolonging the current labour market restrictions for Croatian workers after their country joins the European Union in July.

For two more years, Croatian citizens in Slovenia will be able to work under the same conditions that are in force now" for non-EU citizens, Labour Minister Anja Kopac Mrak said.

She added that the bill will be adopted because of the tough economic situation in the eurozone country and the high level of unemployment in Slovenia and also in the areas on the Croatian side of the border.

"This way our government is giving priority to employing Slovenian citizens but, if employers do not get the adequate profiles, they will be able to hire Croatian citizens," Kopac Mrak said, adding that currently some 5,000 Croatians have working permits in Slovenia.

The two-year transition period bill will be sent to parliament under an urgent procedure and should be adopted before July 1, the date when Croatia will officially become the 28th member of the bloc.

Slovenia was the first former Yugoslav republic to join the EU in 2004.