Embassy Co-Sponsors Conference in Presov on Long-term Unemployment
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| Embassy photo: Aaron
Chase |
Recognizing that Slovakia’s impressive economic growth and low unemployment
both mean that labor is becoming scarcer and more expensive, the Embassy
partnered with U.S. Steel Kosice and the American Chamber of Commerce to hold a
conference on hiring long-term unemployed in Presov on May 20. A large
percentage of unemployed workers are found in Roma communities in the East;
American companies like Whirlpool and U.S. Steel have led the way with
innovative hiring practices to coax these potential workers back into the
workforce, allowing them to share in the benefits of Slovakia’s growth. U.S.
Steel, Whirlpool and other companies showcased their best practices in finding
workers to a gathered audience of 130 business people, civic leaders and
entrepreneurs who are also exploring ways to keep productivity up and labor
costs reasonable. Stuart J. Ishimaru, a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commissioner, journeyed to Presov at the Embassy’s invitation to share the U.S.
perspective on how a concerted effort to hire minorities helped diversify the
American labor force and boosted productivity.
Read Ambassador Obsitnik’s remarks








