SLOVENIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Jernej Jeraj and Eva Bardutzky, PFP Law
to be implemented, the employer must consent, and an annex to the existing employment contract must be signed. The law introduces a transitional period to allow for the gradual implementation of the eligibility conditions: • in 2026 and 2027, the measure will apply to employees turning 58 that year, • the age threshold will then increase by three months each year, • until 2035, when the measure will apply to employ - ees aged 60 and above. This gradual increase in the eligibility age corresponds with the transitional period planned for raising the retirement age under the proposed amendment to the Pension and Disability Insurance Act. It is important to note that at the time of writing this summary, the act has not yet been published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and, there - fore, has not entered into force. The Slovenian Migrant Workers’ Union has submitted an initiative to collect voters’ signatures for calling a legislative referendum. The final day for collecting signatures is set for 5 Octo - ber 2025, meaning the measure’s final implementation is not yet fully guaranteed. Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia’s Priority Response Unit – Strengthened Response to Systemic Violations of Labour Legislation To ensure faster and more effective responses to the most serious violations of labour legislation and occupational safety and health regulations, the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia established a Priority Response Unit on 1 October 2024. This new organisational unit is specialised in targeted, coor - dinated, and rapid interventions by the supervisory authority in the field of labour law. The establishment of the unit is a response to the growing number of complex, large-scale, and recur - ring violations – particularly in cases where vulnerable workers or a larger group of employees are affected. It is activated in situations where there is a demon - strated public interest in immediate action, such as systemic abuses, severe breaches of occupational
safety and health, or repeated irregularities in employ - ment relationships. The unit consists of nine experienced inspectors, six of whom specialise in employment relationships and three in occupational safety and health. This structure enables an integrated approach that goes beyond the traditional separation of inspectors, contributing to a more comprehensive protection of workers’ rights. At the core of the unit’s work is the proactive monitor - ing of the labour market and working environment, including risk analysis, handling of complaints, and targeted detection of violations with broader social impact. According to the Programme Guidelines for 2025 set by the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slove - nia, the unit intends to conduct coordinated inspec - tions involving both labour inspectors and occupation - al safety and health inspectors at large construction sites, which are characterised by a higher risk of viola - tions in both areas. Additionally, there will be targeted inspections in the road transport sector, which often requires oversight due to the unique nature of the work, the employment of foreign workers, and identi - fied issues related to working hours and rest periods. Programme Guidelines and Focus of the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia The 2025 Programme Guidelines of the Labour Inspec - torate of the Republic of Slovenia foresee a strength - ened and more strategically focused approach to supervision in the fields of employment relationships and occupational safety and health. This comes in response to increased risks related to the growing presence of third-country workers, the rise of interme - diary forms of employment, and the increasing num - ber of violations concerning wage payments and other fundamental labour rights. Planned activities include both systemic and targeted inspections, carried out through close cooperation between labour inspectors and occupational safety and health inspectors. In 2025, there is a strong focus on protecting the rights of third-country nationals working in Slovenia. The Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia emphasises that this group of workers is particularly
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