VZCZCXRO7090
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHSL #0252 1511227
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301227Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1753
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

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