The government's assessment is that the pay reform has not had the desired effect, and they intend to regulate wages differently.

The Slovenian government has announced plans to revise its approach to salary structures in the public sector after evaluating that the previous reforms did not achieve their intended outcomes. The new administration intends to implement alternative measures to address concerns over financial sustainability and administrative efficiency. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about how best to align public sector compensation with both operational needs and broader economic realities. According to officials, the current government will initially focus on developing conceptual frameworks for establishing separate pay systems within different areas of the public sector. These include distinct models for police, military, healthcare, education, culture, and social services. The goal is to create tailored approaches that reflect the specific requirements and responsibilities of each sector. Officials emphasized that this shift represents a departure from the previous administration’s strategy, which they claim failed to deliver the desired results, particularly regarding the structure of salary scales. In response to questions raised by MP Alenka Bratušek (Freedom Party) regarding the continuation of the salary reform in the public sector, the government highlighted challenges related to fiscal sustainability. It noted that the overall cost of salaries in the public sector had risen significantly beyond initial projections. Factors contributing to this increase included the introduction of new job categories with higher value ratings, the possibility of increasing base salaries by up to 30%, adjustments to educational qualifications, and additional funds allocated for performance-based rewards. While these elements were designed to promote flexibility and better alignment with labor market demands, they have reportedly led to complications in practice. Government representatives pointed out that certain newly introduced aspects of the pay system have proven problematic, especially due to inadequate management of human resources, organizational processes, and the misuse of existing regulatory frameworks. They cited examples such as the law allowing exceptions for raising base salaries or revising educational qualifications, which some employers have treated as routine rather than exceptional circumstances. This misinterpretation, according to officials, has contributed to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in implementation. Regarding future steps, the government stated that it currently lacks certainty about whether further interventions will be necessary to reduce public spending in light of budget constraints. However, any potential changes to the remaining three salary increases scheduled for 2025–2028 would require careful consideration, given the legal expectations of employees in the public sector and the terms of existing employment contracts. These agreements typically include provisions for gradual salary increases during this period, which must be respected even as new policies are considered. The government also reiterated its commitment to the coalition agreement, which called for the establishment of a unified payment system for administrative functions within the public sector while maintaining separate systems for other key areas. Officials argue that the failure of the previous administration’s reform efforts underscores the need for a more nuanced approach, one that recognizes the unique characteristics of each sector and avoids prioritizing one over another based on perceived importance. Instead, they emphasize the necessity of acknowledging the specific nature of work and the roles assigned to different professions. As the government moves forward, it has indicated that the practical implementation of the separate pay systems will depend on detailed conceptual guidelines. These documents will clarify how the administration intends to manage salary structures in the public sector. Officials stressed that this process will differ substantially from the methods used by the previous government, reflecting a fundamental shift in policy direction.