A large Slovenian delegation participated in the meeting, organised by the AIDP (Associazione Italiana Per la Direzione del Personale Gruppo Toscana) on 16 June 2000 in Florence, Italy. In addition to representatives of the Slovenian Employment Service, other human resource development experts and the managers of some of the largest Slovenian companies attended the meeting.

Among the various presentations by experts from the three countries, the director of the Koper regional employment service described the problems associated with the employment of foreign citizens in Slovenia. A comparison of data from Slovenia, Austria and Italy revealed that the number of legally employed foreigners, that is, those with valid work permits, is approximately equal in the three countries at between five and eight per cent of the active population. In Slovenia, an amendment to the Employment of Foreigners Act is currently in parliamentary procedure. This act will, as is also the case in Austria and Italy, determine the quotas in this area.

Mr Jože Glazer, director of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia, presented the strategic documents concerning employment which have been drafted in Slovenia in recent years as required by the Amsterdam Treaty in order for Slovenia to become a full member of the European Union. The comprehensive and diverse programmes for active employment policies implemented by the Slovenian Employment Service were also presented. A comparison of movements in the labour market indicates that Slovenia has a higher rate of registered unemployment (7.7%) than Austria (3.6%) and a lower rate than Italy (11.1%). Mr Glazer also spoke of the development of private employment agencies in Slovenia.