The latest available data from the Maribor branch of the Employment Service shows 14,147 Slovenians were employed in Austria in March, some 11,000 of them in border provinces Styria, Carinthia and Burgenland.

The head of the branch Mateja Muršak believes the main motive for people to seek work across the border is a lack of jobs at home and higher earnings in Austria.

Employment Service officials say people employed in Austria are generally satisfied with the working conditions and attitude of their employers, who as a rule respect labour laws.

"In a case of disagreement, the Austrian Chamber of Labour is responsible for disputes, but inquiries over disputes with the employers are few."

Occupations most in demand in Austria are IT experts, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical and electronics engineers, healthcare staff, metalworkers and workers skilled for finishing works in construction.

Also sought after are skills required in tourism and catering industry such as waiters, cooks, and for seasonal jobs also chambermaids, skiing instructors, receptionists and kitchen helpers.

Due to better employment opportunities in the neighbouring country, the Maribor office of the Employment Service has recorded increased interest in German courses, especially as German-speaking staff is also sought by Slovenian employers seeking business opportunities across the border.

For the unemployed, the courses are subsidised by the Employment Service; this year 229 have been enrolled in the courses. EURES advisers meanwhile provide information on employment opportunities in Austria.

The Maribor Employment Service office registered 15,407 jobless people at the end of July, 2.6% fewer than in the same period a year ago. Still, the region still has above average rate of unemployment at 18.3%.

While an increasing number of the unemployed are graduates and young people, the office also recorded a 15.6% increase in the number of those who were checked out of the unemployment registry in the first half of the year, which they say is partly due to employment in Austria.