Elaborating on this, he said that honest and hard work needed to be seen as a fundamental value while good workers respected and awarded appropriately.

The prime minister said in a written statement that work and human dignity were closely connected. "The main guideline of every society should therefore be to enable every man work and subsequently a dignified life."

The government too is working to create the conditions for new jobs and for the respect of workers' rights.

"We must all encourage the belief that honourable and valuable work is foremost that which is honest and useful to the society or at least does not harm others."

Cerar asserted that the government would continue to push for development, economic growth and quality jobs.

He warned though that there were no short-cuts. "There were too many cases in the past when rash and reckless measures or unethical or illegal practices of some individuals and groups led to failure or ever corruptive economic, financial, social or other actions."

Cerar therefore believes now is the time for a new working and social culture.

Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek meanwhile wrote on the website of the Party of Modern Centre (SMC) that 1 May "is every time a new opportunity to enhance the awareness of work not just as a basic human right but also as a basic social value".

Events organised by trade unions are being held in several towns across the country, with Ljubljana's main event taking place on the Rožnik hill.