Joint Conference in Slovakia: Legal employment of foreign workers and effective mechanisms for their protection in the labour market
This conference will bring together national and European institutions, international organisations and other stakeholders to discuss how to promote the legal employment of foreign workers and strengthen their protection in the labour market. Against the background of growing labour shortages and an increasing reliance on foreign workers in Slovakia, the event will focus on preventing labour exploitation, improving access to protection and developing effective referral and complaint mechanisms. Discussions will also address victim-centred approaches, cooperation between relevant authorities and better access to information on workers' rights and available support.
What
Co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, the European Labour Authority (ELA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Slovakia, which coordinates the European Migration Network (EMN) in Slovakia, and the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, the conference will focus on promoting the legal employment of foreign workers and strengthening mechanisms to prevent and address labour exploitation and other unlawful employment practices.
Against the background of growing labour shortages in Slovakia, where foreign nationals represent almost 6% of the workforce, the event will address the vulnerabilities faced by foreign workers, particularly third-country nationals, including precarious working conditions, abusive recruitment practices and limited awareness of their rights.
Discussions will focus on preventive and protective measures before and after workers' arrival, accessible referral and complaint mechanisms, victim-centred approaches and the firewall principle, which seeks to separate the enforcement of labour rights from immigration enforcement. Participants will also exchange good practices on workplace integration, multilingual information and cooperation between relevant authorities and support organisations.
The conference aims to identify practical recommendations to strengthen the protection of foreign workers, improve access to information and assistance, and reinforce cooperation among the stakeholders involved.
Where
The conference will take place at the premises of the European Labour Authority (ELA), Landererova 12, Bratislava, Slovakia.
The event will be held in person, with interpretation provided in English and Slovak.
When
30 November 2026
More information
Registration is open here until 10 November 2026.
