"The analysis of internship programs presented by the government does not include all the required data. We lack the estimated financial impacts of the individual measures." This is the youth's response to the two documents, which were discussed at Thursday's government session. The relevant ministry says financial estimates cannot be made until the approval of the state budget.

An end to voluntary internships
At the end of last year the government decided to put an end to public sector voluntary internships – sectoral laws which still enable this practice will now be changed. In some cases internships might even be abolished, if education programs are improved. Systemic changes for youth employment in the public sector are also announced.

Apart from that, 300 internships in the field of education and 100 in the field of social work will be announced in the autumn. The internships will be financed with European funds.

Not enough internships
However, the country's youth demands more, says the president of the Youth Council Tin Kampl. "Youth organizations have highlighted that European funds only serve for transitional periods, only until a sufficient amount of funds is secured in a systemic way."

The analysis therefore brings nothing new, there is still no mention of systemic funding, and the number of announced internships will not be enough, explains the president of the Mladi plus (Youth Plus) union Zala Turšič. "We notice another new trend – the leaning towards deregulation. We keep warning the unions against it, as it could lead to lower quality and lower pay," said Turšič. She also stressed that they were unhappy with the new deadlines, envisaged in the amendments to the law. Changes to the law can be expected in September, next year.

U. V. Radio Slovenija; translated by K. J.