As many countries, Slovenia has been facing labour shortages despite an increase in labour migration in recent years, also linked to the demographic trends (ageing population). IOM Slovenia in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior organized a multi-stakeholder national dialogue on the topic of ethical recruitment on 18 November 2022 in Ljubljana. The national dialogue has been organized in the modality of a thematic meeting of the Advisory Body for Migration and Integration of Migrants, convened by the Minister of the Interior. Following the introductory remarks by State Secretary Dr. Branko Lobnikar and Adriana Aralica, Head of IOM Office in Slovenia, Pawel Szalus from IOM – IRIS initiative presented the principles of ethical recruitment.

The presentation addressed the concept of ethical recruitment, he also outlined the multi-stakeholder approach to ethical recruitment by presenting roles of the Government, civil society and business sector, and emphasized the key role of partnerships and collaboration in implementation of the principles of ethical recruitment. 

Following the presentation by Pawel Szalus, the discussion on ethical recruitment in Slovenia among participants of the meeting focused on establishing monitoring and reporting channels needed to prevent workforce abuses and exploitation, especially in the light of increasing labour migration to Slovenia, but also on incorporating safeguards and principles of ethical recruitment into work permits procedures and labour inspection procedures, but also awareness-raising efforts by various stakeholders among migrant workers. The multi-stakeholder national dialogue was attended by representatives of Government authorities, academia, civil society, and a trade union.

The national dialogue was organized in the framework of the Includ-EU project which is funded by the European Commission – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).