While refusing to reveal concrete solutions from the proposal, Vizjak said that there were currently many precarious forms of employment, especially among the first-time job seekers and those who are in between jobs.

"Getting a permanent contract is practically impossible for them," the minister said, adding that the government wished to promote permanent employment also by imposing restrictions on fixed-term contracts.

He pointed out that the government would like to free employers of burdens and red tape both in employing and dismissing workers.

"As regards to dismissals, we want the issue to focus on the contents, the reason why somebody is to lose their job - prevent abuses and mobbing, but at the same time make the procedure clear cut and such that an employer with average education will be able to carry it out," Vizjak said.

The head of the New Slovenia (NSi) deputy group Matej Tonin told the press that the key change introduced by the reform would be the introduction of a singe type of employment.

"Currently, we have permanent and fixed-term contracts, while in the future there would only be one type of contract that would involve a certain test period and then give a certain amount of security to all those employed," he explained.

Both Tonin and Vizjak expect the debate with the social partners to mostly revolve around the paid lunch break, which the government wishes to abolish. "We will definitely respect the agreement of the social partners regarding this," Vizjak asserted.

The labour reform is also to introduce temporary forms of employments for pensioners and the unemployed, which would be accessible exclusively through the Employment Service.

Vizjak pointed out that these forms of employment would not be a variation of mini jobs that the voters rejected at last year's referendum.

The amount of work that a person would be able to do will be significantly lower, and the jobs will be forwarded by the Employment Service, which has the best overview of the labour market and is also a public agency, he argued.

The Employment Service will be able to spot possible abuses by employers, he added.

Today's meeting focussed on the proposed changes to the employment relationship act and the labour market act, Vizjak said. "There was a lot of explaining necessary, there were a lot of questions and remarks, but I must say that we are on the right track and have received certain very constructive proposals."

These will be studied and included in the proposal by the end of the week, the minister said.

The coalition is also to broach the reform of the pension system next week, according to him.