Non-payment of wages, threats of dismissal, being forced to sign questionable documents, and receiving part of their pay “under the table”—foreign workers in Slovakia are increasingly facing such violations. Unions and human rights organizations are sounding the alarm, while the Ministry of Labor is stepping up oversight of unscrupulous employers.
According to Slovak trade unions, there are about 150,000 foreign workers in the country, mostly from non-EU countries. Many of them, including Ukrainians, become easy targets for scammers due to a lack of knowledge of local laws and language barriers. If you’re planning to work in Slovakia or are already working there, make sure you understand your rights so you can protect them.
Common Scams
According to Peter Rampashek, a labor safety inspector with the OZ KOVO trade union, workers complain about a whole range of violations. Employers force them to sign various versions of documents and undated resignation letters, withhold their wages, and resort to direct threats.
The most common forms of manipulation include:
Delayed or unpaid wages. The employer finds excuses not to pay or pays only a portion of what was earned.
Payment “under the table.” Part of the salary is paid in cash to avoid paying taxes and social security contributions. This deprives you of social protection and affects your future pension.
Signing blank documents. An employee may be asked to sign a blank sheet of paper or an undated resignation letter, which will later be used against them.
Contract manipulation. You may be asked to sign a contract written solely in Slovak, the contents of which you do not fully understand.
The human rights organization “League for Human Rights” confirms that this is a widespread problem. Many foreigners are afraid to complain because they fear losing their residence permits, a fact that unscrupulous employers take advantage of, as noted by the Slovak media.
Government Response: Inspections and Fines
In response to numerous complaints, the National Labor Inspectorate (Národný inšpektorát práce) has stepped up inspections of companies that hire large numbers of workers from third countries. Employers found to be in violation of labor laws face fines of up to €100,000.
In addition, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family is drafting amendments to the law. These are intended to expand the inspectorate’s powers, particularly regarding oversight of temporary employment agencies, which often act as intermediaries in the hiring of foreign workers.
What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated
If you’ve encountered any of the issues described, don’t stay silent—stand up for your rights. Slovak law protects all employees, regardless of their citizenship.
1️⃣ Gather evidence. Keep all documents related to your work: your employment contract (pracovná zmluva), pay stubs, and timesheets. Take screenshots of correspondence with your employer if it contains threats or discusses financial matters.
2️⃣ Contact the Labor Inspectorate. You can file a complaint with the Národný inšpektorát práce. You can do this in person at one of the regional offices, by mail, by email, or via the online form on their website. You can file a complaint anonymously, although in that case you will not be notified of the results of the investigation. The complaint must clearly describe the nature of the violation and include the employer’s contact information.
3️⃣ Seek free assistance. Several organizations in Slovakia provide free legal and informational consultations for foreigners. Among them are:
League for Human Rights (Liga za ľudské práva)
IOM Migration Information Center (IOM Migračné informačné centrum)
Slovak Humanitarian Council (Slovenská humanitná rada)
Employers count on your fear of losing your job or your residence permit. But knowing the law and having contacts at organizations that can help are your tools for protecting yourself against exploitation.
