Labor market reforms introduced in Slovakia and Czech Republic

New labor regulations are taking effect in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, impacting wage transparency and unemployment support.

In Slovakia, a law effective as of June 7, 2026, mandates equal pay for men and women performing equal work or work of equal value. Employers are now required to disclose salary ranges to job applicants before interviews or contract signings and are prohibited from asking candidates about their previous salary history. Companies must also establish pay structures based on objective criteria such as complexity, responsibility, and working conditions to ensure gender-neutral compensation.

In the Czech Republic, the government has approved changes to unemployment benefits set to begin on January 1, 2027. The reform aims to save the state budget between 4.5 and 5 billion koruna annually. Under the new rules, support during the first two months of unemployment will be set at 65% of the average monthly net earnings, a decrease from the previous 80%. Additionally, maximum support for retraining will be reduced from 80% to 60% of the average monthly earnings. The new system will also standardize benefit rates across all age groups.