The minister thus urged the deputies to respect social dialogue and endorse the amendments. The partners managed to near their positions on many issues, however many questions still remain open.

The trade unions are especially unhappy with short notice periods and loose restrictions for temp hiring. They want to define more closely the obligations of employers as regards to employee training, among other things.

The employers on the other hand remain divided on temporary jobs for pensioners. They also insist that Slovenia should cancel paid lunch break and are unhappy with provisions on the bonus for years of service.

The employers are also strongly against a maximum 25% quota for temp hirings and severance for fixed-term employees. They moreover want a reduction in severance payments in general.

If the parliamentary committee fails to complete the debate on the two labour reform bills today, the session will continue on Thursday.

After this session, only the amendments will be eligible to change. Other provisions, these include lunch break and service time bonus provisions, can not be changed.

The overhauled labour legislation is expected to be discussed at the plenary in early March.