May 21 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said it recommends that Slovenia takes all needed measures to effectivelly address the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to support the economic recovery following the crisis.
"When economic conditions allow, pursue fiscal policies aimed at achieving prudent medium-term fiscal positions and ensuring debt sustainability, while enhancing investment," the Commission said on Wednesday in its 2020 country-specific recommendations on Slovenia, which are part of the European Semester Spring 2020 Package.
Moreover, the country needs to ensure the resilience of its health and long-term care system, by providing an adequate supply of critical medical products, as well as to address the shortage of health workers.
"The outbreak of the virus has revealed structural problems in health system. For instance, the relatively low density of doctors is an additional challenge in fighting the epidemic. It is therefore important to recruit more trained health workers, protect their working conditions and employ them where needs are greatest," the EC said.
Slovenia should provide adequate income replacement and social protection in order to mitigate the impact of the unprecedented pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic has put on the domestic labour market and social protection system, it stressed. The country should introduce short-time work schemes and flexible working arrangements that also protect non-standard workers.
In addition, the authorities in Ljubljana are encouraged to continue the swift implementation of measures adopted to provide liquidity and financing to businesses and households hit by the crisis, as well as to reduce the administrative burden. Allocating public investment projects and promoting private investment will also support the economic recovery, according to the Commission.
"Focus investment on the green and digital transition, in particular on clean and efficient production and use of energy, environmental infrastructure, sustainable transport, research and innovation and on the rollout of the 5G network. Promote digital capacities of businesses, and strengthen digital skills, e-Commerce and eHealth," the Commission said.
The Commission said earlier this month it sees the Slovenian economy shrinking 7% this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which will also result in the general government deficit widening to 7.2% of GDP and the general government debt rising to 83.7% of GDP by the end of 2020.