SLOVENIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Jernej Jeraj and Eva Bardutzky, PFP Law
vulnerable due to various circumstances that can place them at a disadvantage. The growing number of workers from Asian countries – who are increas - ingly matching the number of workers from the former Yugoslav republics – brings about more pronounced cultural and linguistic differences, which in practice often result in higher exposure to violations of labour law. The previously mentioned Priority Response Unit and other inspection teams will focus on lawful pay - ment of wages, compliance with rules on working time and rest periods, and adequate accommodation pro - vided by employers where applicable. Inspectors will also be alert to signs of labour exploitation or even forced labour, particularly in the context of the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia’s participa - tion in the joint European initiative JAD 2025. One of the key priorities of the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia remains the supervision of employers involved in labour outsourcing, as pre - vious years have revealed systemic circumvention of legal provisions through the formal assignment of workers to user companies under the guise of busi - ness cooperation. Such practices often violate rules on equal treatment of posted workers compared to those directly employed by the user company. Inspec - tions will therefore focus on verifying whether posted workers enjoy comparable working conditions, pay, and other rights. In terms of targeted inspections, the Labour Inspec - torate of the Republic of Slovenia in 2025 is focus - ing on several high-risk sectors. In the road transport sector, intensified supervision will address compliance with regulations on working hours and rest periods, with inspectors relying on tachograph data to verify compliance, and the payment of legally mandated supplements to drivers. Special attention will also be given to the proper use of annual leave entitlements. Increased oversight is also taking place in the con - struction industry, which remains one of the most critical sectors in terms of both labour law compliance and workplace safety. Construction sites often employ foreign workers who are not adequately informed of their rights and are therefore more vulnerable to abuse. Additionally, construction work presents a
high risk of occupational injuries, including fatal acci - dents. In the field of occupational safety and health, inspections will focus on proper site protection, fall prevention measures for work at heights or depths, safety during roof work and excavations, the use of personal protective equipment, and the suitability of work equipment. The Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia will also increase oversight in sectors where workers are exposed to hazardous substances, such as carci - nogenic formaldehyde in hospitals, welding hazards, and other production environments involving high exposure to chemicals. Following the adoption of the Regulation on Ensur - ing Safety and Health of Workers in Manual Handling of Loads in 2023, inspections will also cover com - pliance with this regulation, as improper handling is a common cause of musculoskeletal injuries among workers. Due to the rising number of delays in the payment of wages and holiday allowances, the Labour Inspec - torate of the Republic of Slovenia is carrying out tar - geted inspections of employers. This includes those who did not submit the required REK form for holiday allowance payments by the end of 2024 or who failed to make these payments to a significant number of employees. In these cases, inspectors will not only verify the payment of the holiday allowance itself but also check the accuracy of wage payments, salary supplements, and compliance with minimum wage provisions. Inspections in this area will contribute to more consistent enforcement of the fundamental right to remuneration, which is often an early indicator of broader violations within the company. Conclusion In 2025, Slovenia is introducing additional measures to strengthen labour law enforcement, improve the pro - tection of vulnerable worker groups, and modernise labour market regulation. Through legislative reforms, targeted inspections, and institutional upgrades, the government wishes to promote fair working condi - tions, ensure compliance, and support a more resilient and inclusive labour market.
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