Age is most often reason of discrimination in Slovakia - poll

The age is the most frequent reason of discrimination against employees in Slovakia, according to the latest poll by the IVO public opinion research institute published today.

Other major reason of discrimination at workplaces is ethnic origin, particularly Romany nationality, the poll shows.
The institute conducted the survey among several dozen people and companies. It focused on people unemployed for a long time and prejudices against them.

Almost all respondents of Romany origin said they had met with discrimination on the grounds of the colour of their skin.
Employers, too, confirmed that their clients do not want to be attended by Romanies.

Discrimination is more frequently admitted by employees than by their employers.

A total of 51 percent of the addressed employees, for example, said there was discrimination based on gender in Slovakia, while only 21 percent of employers admitted the same.

IVO head Martin Butora said the unemployment rate in October dropped to a new minimum of under 8 percent. A problem, however, is that 70 percent of the unemployed stay without job for a long time.

The European Union, of which Slovakia is a member, passed a ban on discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic origin, faith, health condition, age and sexual orientation at work in 2000.