Slovak Republic

Improving the performance of youth in the labour market is a crucial challenge in OECD countries facing persistent youth unemployment. Getting off to a good start facilitates integration and lays the foundation for a good career, while a poor beginning can be difficult to make up. This report surveys the main barriers to employment for young people in the Slovak Republic, and assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to improve the transition from school to work. The report also provides a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners.

Summary and Main Recommendations Introduction Chapter 1. The Challenge Ahead -Demographic and Macroeconomic Trends -Employment -Unemployment -Mobility -The Transition from School to Work -A Comparison of the Youth Labour Market in 1995and 2005 -Summary Chapter 2. The Role of Education and Training -Improving the Performance of Education -Changes in the Educational System -Combining School and Work is Not Common -Intermediate Situations between School and Work -The Education System Needs Further Reform -Training -Summary Chapter 3. Barriers to Youth Unemployment -Perceptions of Employers -Labour Costs -Employment Protection Legislation -Are Maternity Protection Legislation and Parental Leave Barriers to the Employment of Young Womenoe -Summary Chapter 4. The Role of Welfare Benefits and Activation Policies -Child Allowance, Unemployment Benefits and Social Assistance -Helping Young Jobseekers with the Search -Measures to Increase Young Workers' Employability -Summary Bibliography