Labour shortages & EU are biggest problems for 2017 says Prime Minister

The largest challenge facing Slovakia in 2017 is that of shortages in the labour market, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico during a visit to a fire station in Piešťany last week. "Three or four years ago we complained that there was a shortage of labour, but companies today are screaming for new workers. It puts a lot of pressure on the government to agree upon the importation of labour from abroad," said Fico. According to him, Slovakia should first and foremost use the potential of those individuals who are unemployed, although this includes many adults who have not completed even basic education. "I'm speaking, for example, about Roma. This will be a sizeable challenge for us, in order to not hamper the economy, which is progressing well," said the prime minister. The second greatest issue for 2017, according to Fico, will be the situation in the European Union. "My God, what will happen with the European Union? I mean, if adventurers - such as David Cameron - could create such similar absurd referenda, then the Union would be under severe pressure," said the prime minister.