PS: Factories Shut Down and People Laid Off, Premier Busy with Number of Genders

Bratislava, April 15 (TASR) - Within 24 hours, two major factories in Slovakia have announced that they are closing — Ecco in Martin on Monday (April 14), and Lowa in Handlova on Tuesday, and hundreds of jobs have been lost, with thousands of people in the regions affected, while the government argues about the transaction tax and debates the number of genders, Progressive Slovakia (PS) head Michal Simecka declared on Tuesday. "I feel very sorry for the families affected. They deserve active help from the government, not ignorance or short-term band-aids. In PS, we want to modernise our economy, invest in innovation and support Slovak small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of our economy. And to attract foreign investors with a good business environment," emphasised Simecka. Simecka also called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to present a plan regarding how he intends to respond to the devastating US tariffs. "First of all, cancel your foolish and destructive transaction tax. Start helping our companies and employees at last instead of just taking money from them to pay for more fighter jets or retirement perks for officials. And if you can't do any of that, then finally step aside. People in Handlova or Martin don't have time for your quarrels and deserve a chance to elect a better government," declared Simecka. The dismissal of 650 people in Martin is a huge blow to the economy and the living standards of the entire region, underlined PS vice-chair and House social affairs committee deputy head Simona Petrik. "Negative social impacts can be expected, and thousands of families will be affected. [Labour] Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) should proactively analyse the effects, especially on vulnerable population groups. This isn't the first case of mass lay-offs. With this, Martin is joining Topolcany, Vranov nad Toplou, Kysucke Nove Mesto, Banovce nad Bebravou, Puchov, Namestovo and Bratislava. The government simply cannot pretend that paying salaries from a guarantee fund is the only solution to this recurring situation," added Petrik. Member of the House public administration and regional development committee Jana Hanuliakova recalled that Fico, back when he was an opposition politician, once convened a special emergency House session when 300 people were set to be laid off in Ziar nad Hronom. mf/df