The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic
The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic implements its agenda in the field of migration and asylum mainly through two bodies – the Migration Office and the Bureau of Border and Alien Police. MoI acts as the responsible certifying body for the Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows programme for the 2007 – 2013 period. The Department of Foreign Assistance of the MoI is organisationally responsible for the programme. MoI also has a coordinating role in the field of prevention and prosecution of human trafficking; the State Secretary is the national coordinator of the fight against human trafficking.
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The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the SR
The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic is the state body responsible for providing comprehensive care for foreigners in need of some form of international protection (asylum, subsidiary protection, temporary shelter). Specifically, the Migration Office determines whether or not to grant asylum or subsidiary protection to individuals, provides basic care to asylum seekers, and facilitates primary integration of recognised refugees and persons with subsidiary protection into society. The office assists them with accommodation, employment, learning the Slovak language, education, as well as social and health care. The Migration Office cooperates with the UNHCR and NGOs, and participates in the formulation of the migration policy of the state. Furthermore, the Migration Office regularly publishes statistics on asylum in Slovakia.
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The Bureau of Border and Alien Police of the Ministry of the Interior of the SR
The Bureau of Border and Alien Police of the Ministry of the Interior of the SR is a body of the Ministry of the Interior which directly manages tasks in the field of border control and border protection, fighting illegal migration and the smuggling of migrants, granting residence to foreigners and controlling it, deportations, visa issues, and, to a limited extent, in asylum procedures and the implementation of the Dublin Directive. Due to organisational changes, the Bureau of Border and Alien Police separated from the organisational structure of the Directorate of Police Corps on 1 June 2007. Subsequently, the Bureau became part of the organisational structure of the Ministry of the Interior. The Director of the Bureau of Border and Alien Police is directly accountable to the Minister of the Interior.
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The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family establishes legal norms and determines legal regulations for employing foreigners and sets up criteria for the entry of different categories of foreign nationals into the Slovak labour market, including conditions for granting work permits. The Ministry establishes legal norms regarding social care for foreigners, recognised refugees, repatriated persons, Slovaks living abroad, etc. The Department of Social Inclusion of the Ministry of Labour is responsible for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion and the National Employment Action Plan. These plans identify the target group of migrants (immigrants, recognised refugees, unaccompanied minor migrants) as vulnerable in the areas of employment and social needs requiring specific protection through Ministry measures. In practice, social care for migrants is carried out by the local Offices of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, falling under the authority of the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family.
In 2007, a new department was created – the Department of Migration and Integration of Foreigners – as part of the International Relations Section. It is the coordinating department for all issues related to labour migration and integration of foreigners. The Department of Migration and Integration of Foreigners is also responsible for making policy and preparing strategies for labour migration and integration of foreigners into society and formulates proposals for bilateral agreements on the employment of third country nationals, negotiates agreements on social insurance for migrant workers, and coordinates related tasks. It is responsible for the analysis of relevant legislation and measures concerning the Slovak labour market as they relate to the status of foreigners. This department also monitors the social integration of foreigners into the country and proposes measures and changes in legislation in order to improve it.
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The Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
The Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family is the institution of the Ministry of Labour that directs, controls and coordinates the work of 46 local Offices of Labour, Social Affairs and Family in the regions of Slovakia. It is responsible for providing social services and the management of social and employment issues and maintains a central database of employed foreigners, processes relevant statistics and participates in combating the illegal employment of foreigners.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the SR
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the central body of the state administration in the field of foreign policy and relations of the SR with other states and international organisations. It participates in the development of a unified foreign policy and implements it. Within the framework of its consular agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fulfils and, to a certain extent, performs tasks related to issuing visas and granting residence to foreigners via its consulates and embassies abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assists with the voluntary return of migrants, deportations or the preparation of readmission agreements. It is also responsible for determining the status of a Slovak living abroad. The MFA is additionally responsible for development policy and development aid.
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