TAX COMMITTEE

Tax Committee members are almost at the end with their preparation of Position Paper – Proposals for the change of legislation. Some of the topics that are in the Paper are:

– Advance Pricing Agreements

– Introduction of postponed accounting system for import of goods

– Correction of chargeable VAT

– The R & D relief on investments

– The general investment relief of 30 % of investments with a cap at EUR 30.000

This Paper will be presented to the Ministry of Finance and to the Tax Authorities.

LABOR COMMITTEE

The majority of the members of the Labor Committee were present at the May’s Business Breakfast held on May 21th.Guest speaker was Dr. Ivan Svetlik, Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs.

Members of the Committee prepared several questions for the guest – here are some of them:

Nataša Bukanovsky Kosi, Chairmen of Labor Committee of AmCham Slovenia: “You have mentioned low flexibility in Slovenia. Members of AmCham are experts on the areas where these reforms will be adopted. They also think that existing regulation is not flexible and they expect changes. They prepared several proposals for changes and presented them to the Ministry: reduction of days for annual leave, reduction of reimbursements and implementation of the act allowing awards for job performance. Can you assure us that our proposals will be reviewed and considered when these reforms will be adopted?”

Mr. Svetlik, PhD: »We will review and consider them, proposals will be checked and we will respond to appeals, because you want specific changes – days for annual leave, social partners must harmonize their demands for minimum and maximum standards, doctors during their annual leaves work elsewhere, such deviations in various areas aren’t wanted. “

Bojana Novak, company Veyance Technologies Europe: “Social contributions: what are the plans for implementation of system for supervision of paying the contributions?”

Mr. Svetlik, PhD: » Individuals are not affected due to not paid contributions. Regulation is for the companies in troubles, they don’t have to pay the contributions right away, but this is not a proper solution. Approximately 3% of all contributions is not paid, which isn’t much. We want to improve this system. A new pension reform will define how these contributions must be paid and how these payments must be visible to employees. “

Alja Gazvoda, from Merck, Sharp & Dohme d.o.o., small work area: “Employers are employing many students who are working only for shorter working hours, because they want to finish their studies. We still want to offer these students the possibility to start working for companies and to learn about the business because the faculties don’t teach them about this. Regulation foresees maximum 14 working hours per week – this doesn’t seem enough for us. They need experiences and also time for study. Employers want young and talented people, want to give them chance to learn and prove themselves.”

Mr. Svetlik, PhD: »The difference is between studying and working, according to Bologna reform study programs will include more practice, but “small work” cannot solve all problems and needs of employers, for students 14 hours per week is not a restraint, they can work up to 720 hours per year which doesn’t restrict them per week. Student status is first status, where their rights are taken from. Working hours may not be longer. Small work is an important source of practical experiences. Act is foreseeing also recording of these experiences, so the students will be able to use them as reference. This act will impose limitation for companies.

Dejan Turk, Vice President of AmCham Slovenia and Chairman of the management board of Simobil: “He told Minister Svetlik that AmCham supports reforms. He said: “You mentioned job flexibility 5 times; we hope as well that new act will enable more flexibility and higher job mobility. A worker in Slovenia changes his job 3 to 4 times, in USA up to 20 times.”

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT COMMITTEE

Public Procurement held a meeting on June 2nd – the theme was how to make alliance of stakeholders to convince legislators that current legislation – although was changed recently – will not bring desirable results. Some new ordinance even bring requirements which will cause that some big companies will rethink their willingness to make business in Slovenija.

The Committee already send its comment and suggestions on the proposal » Zakon o javni agenciji za javno naročanje » – no response on our comment from the Ministry of Public Administration yet.