a. Freedom of the Press
The constitution and law provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right. An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members.
The law criminalized hate speech and prohibited the incitement to hatred, violence, and intolerance based on nationality, race, religion, sex, color, social status, political or other beliefs, sexual orientation, and disability in a way that could threaten or disrupt public order, typically requiring violence to occur for the prosecution of such incitement. The penal code also prohibited the expression of ideas of racial superiority and denial of the Holocaust.
Physical Attacks, Imprisonment, and Pressure
On May 22, RTV Slovenia journalists ended a two-year strike begun under previous leadership of the outlet over perceived loss of autonomy and financial instability of the public broadcaster. Members of the striking committee had reported threats of disciplinary action, dismissal, and public smearing of their reputations during the strike. In the agreement concluding the strike, RTV Slovenia leadership pledged to overhaul provisions related to journalistic and editorial autonomy and promised efforts towards strengthening journalists’ job security.
The web platform for journalists to report attacks listed a total of eight reports of alleged verbal attacks or threats of physical attacks against journalists during the year, a decrease compared to the previous year. No instances of physical attacks were reported.
Censorship by Governments, Military, Intelligence, or Police Forces, Criminal Groups, or Armed Extremist or Rebel Groups
The press and media practiced some self-censorship. Analysts and observers noted online harassment, combined with a lack of job security, forced some journalists to avoid reporting on some topics.
In its 2024 Rule of Law Report, issued July 24, the European Commission noted steps were taken to introduce safeguards to protect journalists. The report contended the independence of public broadcaster RTV Slovenia improved, but also asserted the government needed to change how the public broadcaster was financed. The report recommended the government provide appropriate funding for public service media to ensure its independence. The report called for strengthening the media ownership transparency framework. The report also noted efforts by the government to improve the fairness and transparency of state advertising.
b. Worker Rights
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
The law provided for the right of workers to form and join independent unions, bargain collectively, and conduct legal strikes. The law did not prohibit antiunion discrimination or require reinstatement of workers fired for union activity; however, courts had ruled the right to unionize was protected in law. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported employers in the metal industry and transport sector pressured employees to refrain from organizing or to disband their unions by using threats of retaliation or consequences.
The law required unionization of at least 10 percent of workers in a sector before the sector could engage in collective bargaining. At the enterprise level, unionization of at least 15 percent of workers in a company or an organization was required before that union could engage in bargaining.
The government respected freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively and the right to strike. Local NGOs estimated approximately 20 percent of the labor force belonged to a union and approximately 80 percent of the labor force was covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Local NGOs assessed that although penalties for violations were commensurate with those for analogous violations such as civil rights violations, a shortage of labor inspectors impeded the government’s ability to effectively prevent, monitor, and deter violations of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike for workers. Judicial and administrative procedures were not subject to lengthy delays or appeals. Penalties were sometimes applied against violators.
Forced or Compulsory Labor
See the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.
Acceptable Work Conditions
Wage and Hour Laws
The national monthly gross minimum wage exceeded the poverty line. The law did not require premium pay for overtime, but collective agreements determined whether workers received premium pay for overtime. The law limited overtime to eight hours per week, 20 hours per month, and 170 hours per year.
Occupational Safety and Health
Special commissions under the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities set occupational safety and health (OSH) standards for workers that were appropriate for the main industries in the country. Workers could remove themselves from situations that endangered health or safety without jeopardizing their employment. The law required employers to protect workers injured on the job. If incapacitated, such workers could perform other work corresponding to their abilities, obtain part-time work, or receive occupational rehabilitation and wage compensation.
Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement
The Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities monitored minimum wage compliance and had inspection authority. Labor inspectors investigated potential violations of OSH laws. In cases of serious violations, police took over investigations of potential criminal acts. Labor inspectors proactively identified unsafe conditions. The government effectively enforced minimum wage, overtime, and OSH laws.
According to NGOs and advocacy groups, penalties for wage and hour violations were commensurate with those for other similar crimes, and they were sometimes applied against violators. Exceptions included some cases involving migrant workers and asylum seekers who faced conditions of exploitation such as underpayment, poor housing conditions, and demands to work overtime. Most violations took place in the wood processing industry, the metal industry, construction, transportation, hospitality, and bars and restaurants, although the government actively enforced labor laws in these sectors. Workers facing hazardous working conditions included professional divers, mountain rescuers, sailors, construction workers, and miners. Workers employed in the construction and transport sectors, the wood industry, and exotic dancers faced exploitative working conditions.
Penalties for OSH violations were generally commensurate with penalties for similar crimes such as negligence. The Labor Inspectorate carried out some labor contract and OSH inspections, identified violations, and issued penalties. Penalties were rarely applied against violators. Inspectors had the authority to make unannounced inspections and initiate sanctions against abusers, but according to NGOs, the number of inspectors was insufficient to monitor conformance with labor contract or OSH laws. The International Labor Organization and some NGOs reported an urgent need to increase the number of inspectors.
The government estimated informal workers accounted for 5.8 percent of the active labor force. The government enforced labor laws in the informal sector.
c. Disappearance and Abduction
Disappearance
There were no reports of enforced disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.
Prolonged Detention without Charges
The constitution and law prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their detention in court. The government generally observed these requirements. There were no reported cases of arbitrary or unlawful detention.