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We import and persecute foreigners at the same time.
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/7/2026

We import and persecute foreigners at the same time.

The article discusses the claim by Vinko Gorenak, a cabinet member under Prime Minister Janez Janša, that leftist political parties in Slovenia are importing foreign workers who eventually become their voters. The author, Peter Petrovčič, refutes this assertion, calling it a myth. He argues that foreign workers from non-EU countries actually have voting rights in 14 out of 27 EU member states, which contradicts Gorenak’s statement. Additionally, the article highlights that these workers typically vote for center-right parties rather than left-wing ones. It further explains that the demand for foreign labor stems from economic needs, with businesses collaborating with conservative parties that promise lower taxes and higher profits. The piece also references former Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, who acknowledged the necessity of foreign workers for Slovenia’s economy.

The number of Indian, Nepalese, and Filipino workers in Slovenia has surged dramatically over the past five years, according to data obtained from the Statistical Office. As of June 2026, there were 8,165 work-active citizens from six Asian countries, India, Nepal, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand, compared to just 1,258 at the end of 2021. This represents a staggering increase of nearly 549 percent. Among these groups, Indians, Nepalis, and Filipinos make up the majority of this new workforce, with their numbers growing almost twentyfold since December 2021. In June 2026, 2,794 Indian nationals were working in Slovenia, followed by 2,207 Nepalis and 1,429 Filipinos. Chinese workers numbered 1,232, while the numbers for Thais, Pakistanis, and Indonesians remained significantly lower. The fastest growth was recorded among Filipinos, whose numbers increased from 90 to 1,429 between December 2021 and June 2026, a rise of nearly half in just six months. Nepalis saw the largest relative increase, growing from 16 to 2,207, a 138-fold jump. These workers are primarily filling roles in manufacturing, freight and bus transport, warehousing, kitchens, and other labor-intensive sectors. Indians are predominantly found in production and freight and storage activities. Nepalis are increasingly taking on roles in manufacturing, with more of them driving vehicles. Filipinos are taking on both production tasks and driving buses. The distribution of these workers is not limited to Ljubljana and its surroundings. While Central Slovenia remains the main employment hub for most groups, Nepalis are more concentrated in the eastern part of the country, with approximately 60 percent of all employed Nepalis working in the east. Larger concentrations of Nepalis are also found in the Savinja region, on the Koroška region, and in southeastern Slovenia. Filipinos show a different pattern, with a notable concentration in the Gorenjska region. In June 2026, 2,794 Filipinos were working in Slovenia, with a significant portion based in Gorenjska. According to Vinko Gorenak, the head of the government office under Prime Minister Janez Janša, the idea that left-leaning political parties bring in foreign workers who later become their voters is a myth. He argues that the need for cheap labor comes from the economy, which has long been aligned with right-wing parties. These parties promise lower taxes and higher profits, and when they gain power, they try to fulfill these promises. Gorenak claims that non-EU foreigners generally do not have voting rights in local elections, although this is not true in 14 of the 27 EU member states. Zdravko Počivalšek, currently serving as a government secretary responsible for economic development, previously worked as the economy minister in the third Janša government. He acknowledged the necessity of importing labor for the functioning of the Slovenian economy and even advised an Israeli company based in Croatia on providing labor services. After stepping down from his ministerial role in 2022, he confirmed his continued involvement in facilitating labor importation. Now, as a colleague of Gorenak, he could offer a different perspective on the issue of foreign labor.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

Zanima.me logoZanima.meIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/7/2026
Indians, Nepalese and Filipinos become a new pillar of the Slovenian labour market: we reveal where and what they do

The article from Zanima.me discusses the growing presence of foreign workers in Slovenia, specifically focusing on citizens from India, Nepal, and the Philippines. It highlights that the number of valid residence permits for citizens of these countries increased significantly between December 2021 and June 2026, rising from 1,258 to 8,165. The majority of this growth comes from India, Nepal, and the Philippines, with their numbers increasing by nearly 20 times over five years. While all three groups contribute to labor force growth, Filipinos show the fastest rate of increase. The article notes that these workers are primarily employed in specific sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and food services, indicating a shift in Slovenia’s labor market toward more specialized roles.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on workforce demographics and employment trends without overtly promoting any political agenda. It provides balanced statistical information and does not frame the issue through ideological lenses. The focus remains on economic and demographic changes rather than on

Why factuality (85): The article provides data from the Statistical Office regarding the increase in foreign workers from India, Nepal, and the Philippines in Slovenia between December 2021 and June 2026. It reports specific numbers and percentages, aligning with the cross-source consensus that there has been significan

Why objectivity (75): The article presents information in a descriptive manner but uses terms like 'nov steber slovenskega trga dela' (new pillar of the Slovenian labor market) which may imply a positive economic impact. While it remains factual, the phrasing suggests a favorable view of the trend, introducing a slight b

Mladina logoMladinaIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 609/3/2026
We import and persecute foreigners at the same time.

The article discusses the claim by Vinko Gorenak, a cabinet member under Prime Minister Janez Janša, that leftist political parties in Slovenia are importing foreign workers who eventually become their voters. The author, Peter Petrovčič, refutes this assertion, calling it a myth. He argues that foreign workers from non-EU countries actually have voting rights in 14 out of 27 EU member states, which contradicts Gorenak’s statement. Additionally, the article highlights that these workers typically vote for center-right parties rather than left-wing ones. It further explains that the demand for foreign labor stems from economic needs, with businesses collaborating with conservative parties that promise lower taxes and higher profits. The piece also references former Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, who acknowledged the necessity of foreign workers for Slovenia’s economy.

Bias read (Center): While the article critiques a specific political claim made by a right-leaning figure, it does not present a clear ideological slant. Instead, it provides factual rebuttals and contextualizes the issue within broader economic and political dynamics. The tone remains balanced, presenting both the pro

Why factuality (70): The article discusses political perceptions and statements by officials, including Vinko Gorenak, regarding the left-wing party's alleged involvement in bringing in foreigners. It references a statement made in an interview but does not provide full context or verification of the claim. The lack of

Why objectivity (60): The article has a clear ideological tone, suggesting that the left-wing party's actions are based on misinformation or manipulation. This introduces a strong political bias, making it less objective. The language used ('mit', 'ksenofobne politike') implies criticism of certain political stances.

Finance logoFinanceIndependent🔒CenterFactual 50Objective 609/1/2026
Reuters: Japan awaits a day of reckoning on economic policy

The headline suggests that Japan is awaiting clarification on economic policy from a specific entity, though the exact nature of the policy or the responsible authority is not detailed in the provided information. The article originates from a financial news outlet in Slovenia, indicating potential relevance to international economic developments. Without additional content, the focus remains on the anticipation of policy changes rather than any specific event or decision.

Bias read (Center): The headline appears neutral, focusing on the expectation of policy clarification without overtly favoring one political stance over another. There is no clear indication of ideological leaning in the phrasing, which keeps the framing close to center.

Why factuality (50): The article lacks specific details about the economic policy in question or the responsible authority, making it difficult to assess factual accuracy. It references a financial news outlet in Slovenia, which may indicate regional interest but does not provide sufficient context for full verification

Why objectivity (60): The tone is neutral, focusing on the anticipation of policy clarification without overt bias. However, the lack of specific details may lead to reader confusion or misinterpretation. The framing is general and does not appear to favor any particular perspective.

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