Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family - Stará Ľubovňa Development and promotion of cross-border co-operation in the labor markets of Stará Ľubovňa and Nowy Sacz Miroslav Redaj

Overview Characteristics of the district Stará Ľubovňa Objectives and targets of cross-border cooperation within INTERREG IIIA PR-SR Performed activities Suggestions for the future

Stará Ľubovňa Area 624 km Administrative units 44 municip., 2 towns No. of inhabitants Econ. active inhab No. of jobseekers 2239 Unemployment rate 7,64% Self-employed workers 6490 Average income/month SK

April – December 2006 Targets – from psychology to labor market Deepen co-operation between Public Employment Services across the border Building network between all local institutions of the relevant partners (schools, municipalities, social institutions) Informing inhabitants and institutions about the advantages of cross-border co-operation

Expected benefitsextensive social and economic development Strengthen and develope co-operation between Public Employment Services Involve local institutions and inhabitants in the building of connections in cross-border region Improve the possibilities to get information Support work mobility and enterprise in cross- border area Make the district attractive for both employees and employers

Deepening of co-operation 2 educational meetings between the staff of Labour Offices in Stará Ľubovňa and Nowy Sacz Slovak – Polish Conference - VI/2006 Establishing of information kiosk in Labor Office Information day for jobseekers – IX/2006 Publicity work (bulletin, brochure ) Project activities

Project pictures

Problems to be solved Increasing number od long-term unemployed jobseekers (52 – 58% of registered jobseekers) Low average monthly salary, differences between Slovak and Polish wages ( SL 230, PL 270 ) High unemployement rate in Poland ( %) Absence of foreign investments Insufficient creating of new work placements (same surpluses, same shortages) Inadequate traffic infrastructure, non – existence of direct bus or train connections Undesirable profession structure of jobseekers Inadequate exchange of information

Future – transnational region? Aim to achieve the status of transnational EURES – T Support worker´s mobility: -exchange of job vacancies, information about labour market, legislative changes -support the creating of new job places -working meeting of Labour office staff (working group) -promotional and information material -cross-border seminars with relevant institutions -build co-operation with employers, trade unions and other institutions of the region -offer special cross-border advising (labour market, social security system, taxation) -involve jobseekers in participating to workshop – Face to face to Slovak-Polish labour market

Thank you for your attention Questions? Miroslav Redaj Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family Farbiarska Stará Ľubovňa Slovakia Tel.: Web: