Free movement of labor and labor migration from the Pomurje in Slovenia to Styria in Austria

Tematika magistrske naloge je usmerjena k vplivu prostega pretoka oseb na čezmejne delovne migracije med Pomurjem in avstrijsko Štajersko. Avstrija je 1. maja 2011 odpravila omejitve glede prostega gibanja delavcev iz Slovenije, zato pričakujemo, da ima ta ukrep pomemben vpliv na povečanje delovnih migracij predvsem v smeri iz Pomurja na avstrijsko Štajersko. V teoretičnem delu naloge postavljamo izhodišča za raziskovalni del. Zanima nas predvsem, kako delovnopravna zakonodaja Evropske unije, Slovenije in Avstrije ter sodelovanje med obema državama na področju trga dela pogojuje čezmejne delovne migracije. Zanima nas tudi, kakšne so razlike med regijama na gospodarskem in zaposlitvenem področju. Osrednji cilj naloge pa je raziskati razsežnost delovnih migracij med regijama po prehodnem obdobju, dejavnike, ki jih pogojujejo, ter njihove učinke na gospodarstvo regij, predvsem Pomurja. Zato v raziskovalnem delu naloge preverjamo, katero regijo bi za zaposlitev Pomurci raje izbrali, kakšne so delovne izkušnje že zaposlenih na avstrijskem Štajerskem ter kateri so tisti dejavniki, ki motivirajo posameznika za delo na avstrijskem Štajerskem. Naše ugotovitve kažejo, da so se delovne migracije iz Pomurja na avstrijsko Štajersko leta 2011 znatno povečale. Med dejavniki odločanja za delo na avstrijskem Štajerskem pa pomembno izstopa želja po boljšem zaslužku za isto ali podobno delo. Vendar se pomembnost tega in drugih dejavnikov razlikuje glede na socialno-demografske karakteristike posameznikov. Prišli smo tudi do sklepa, da čezmejne delovne migracije iz Pomurja na avstrijsko Štajersko prinašajo več pozitivnih kot negativnih učinkov v domači regiji.This master’s thesis reflects the impact of the free movement of labor on the cross-border labor migration between the Pomurje region of Slovenia and the Styria region of Austria. Austria removed restrictions on the free movement of labor from Slovenia on May 1st 2011, and we expect that this measure has had a significant impact on the increase of labor migration, mainly in the direction from Pomurje to Styria. The theoretical part of the thesis represents the basis for the analytical part and the research. In the first part, we investigate the labor legislation of the European Union, Slovenia and Austria, cooperation between the two countries in the field of labor markets and its impact on the cross-border labor migration. We analyze the differences between the two regions with regards to economics and employment. The main aim of the study is to explore the dimension of labor migration between the two regions after May 1st, 2011. We also explore the factors and effects of the cross-border migration, with emphasis on the Pomurje region. Consequently, the research area of the thesis is based on researching which region of employment inhabitants of Pomurje prefer, what the experiences of those who already work(ed) in Styria are, and what the factors that motivate individuals to work in the region are. Our findings suggest that the labor migration from Pomurje to Styria increased significantly in 2011. Among the factors that motivate individuals to work in Styria, the desire for better earnings for the same or similar work stands out. However, the importance of this and other factors vary depending on the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals. We also came to the conclusion that the cross-border labor migration from Pomurje to Styria brings more positive than negative effects on the Pomurje region