POST PROMOTES HIRING ROMA TO ADDRESS SLOVAK LABOR SHORTAGE

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000252 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDOC FOR 4232/ITA/MAC/EUR/MROGERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ELAB PHUM SOCI PGOV LO SUBJECT: POST PROMOTES HIRING ROMA TO ADDRESS SLOVAK LABOR SHORTAGE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Recognizing that Slovakia's impressive economic growth and low unemployment means that labor is becoming scarcer and more expensive, the Embassy partnered with U.S. Steel Kosice and the American Chamber of Commerce to hold a May 20 conference in Presov on hiring the long-term unemployed, particularly members of the Roma community. U.S. Steel, Whirlpool, and Embraco showcased their best practices in finding workers to the gathered audience of 130 businessmen, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs who are also exploring ways to keep productivity up and labor costs reasonable. Stuart J. Ishimaru, one of five Commissioners of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),journeyed to Presov at the Embassy's invitation to share the U.S. perspective on how a concerted effort to hire minorities has helped diversify the U.S. labor force and boost productivity. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On May 20, Post organized a conference in Presov on expanding labor markets in Eastern Slovakia with a special emphasis on reaching the Roma community. Though unemployment is generally decreasing in Slovakia, Roma unemployment remains stubbornly high with many Roma SETTLEMENTS registering well above 90 percent unemployment according to conference participants. In contrast to similarly themed conferences held recently on Roma issues, post targeted the Slovak business community. The audience of nearly 130 consisted heavily of HR directors from domestic and international companies operating in Eastern and Central Slovakia though some NGOs and government officials were also present. ¶3. (U) U.S. EEOC Commissioner Ishimaru keynoted the conference with a discussion of how expanding the U.S. labor force into a wider, more diverse pool of applicants made both social and economic sense. With the U.S. story in mind, participants then heard statistics breaking down the unemployment situation in Slovakia presented by local unemployment offices, the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK),and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO). U.S. Steel, Whirlpool, and Embraco highlighted their innovative Roma hiring programs before a concluding panel of NGO and Roma community leaders provided their views of the day's proceedings. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The large turn-out at the conference, especially of the Slovak business community, was promising. Labor shortages in Slovakia are well-documented and acknowledged by the business community but business owners have been reluctant to fill these personnel needs with the Roma population in their own backyard. The participation of the Slovak business community in Roma conferences and events in the past has been weak according to the NGO community. Including this constituency is critical in improving the situation of the Roma in Slovakia. The push to include the business community complements Roma outreach and integration efforts conducted by Pol/Econ, Public Affairs, and other sections at post. END COMMENT. OBSITNIK