Ob mednarodnem prazniku dela je 40. epizoda GOVSI podkasta posvečena razmisleku o pomenu delavskih pravic nekoč in danes. Gostja, dolgoletna sindikalistka Lidija Jerkič, je opozorila, da pravice delavcev niso samoumevne, temveč rezultat dolgoletnega boja in prizadevanj.

Praznik dela, ki ga obeležujemo 1. maja, ima korenine v delavskih protestih za osemurni delovnik v Chicagu leta 1886. Danes, več kot stoletje kasneje, ostaja simbol prizadevanj za dostojne delovne pogoje. Kot je poudarila Jerkičeva, se razmere sicer spreminjajo, a temeljno sporočilo ostaja enako: »Nič ni podarjeno, vse je priborjeno – in zelo hitro tudi izgubljeno.«

Sindikati imajo po njenem mnenju še vedno ključno vlogo pri zastopanju interesov zaposlenih in sodelovanju v socialnem dialogu. V Sloveniji ta poteka tudi v okviru Ekonomsko-socialnega sveta, kjer sodelujejo predstavniki vlade, delodajalcev in delojemalcev. Kakovosten socialni dialog je po besedah sogovornice eden od temeljev stabilne in pravične družbe, ob tem je poudarila, da se v mandatu aktualne vlade socialni dialog zelo okrepil.

Gostja je opozorila tudi na pomen ustrezne zakonodaje, kot je minimalna plača, ki po njenem mnenju postane nujna, kadar socialni dialog ne deluje dovolj učinkovito. Ob tem je izpostavila, da ima Slovenija razmeroma dobro pravno ureditev, vendar se težave pojavljajo pri njenem izvajanju.

Ob zaključku je gostja poudarila pomen solidarnosti: »Posameznik sam težko stoji, skupaj pa je lažje. Pomembno je, da se ljudje zavedajo svojih pravic in jih tudi uveljavljajo.«

Epizoda spodbuja razmislek o tem, kakšno družbo želimo graditi in kakšno mesto ima v njej delo – danes in v prihodnje.

Vabljeni k ogledu in poslušanju.

[ENGLISH VERSION]

Government Podcast GOVSI: On May Day about the importance of workers’ rights, social dialogue and the challenges of the modern labour market

On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the 40th episode of the government GOVSI podcast is dedicated to reflecting on the importance of workers’ rights in the past and today. The guest - long-time trade unionist Lidija Jerkič - stressed that workers’ rights are not self-evident, but the result of long-term struggle and effort.

Labour Day, celebrated on 1 May, has its roots in workers’ protests for the eight-hour workday in Chicago in 1886. Today, more than a century later, it remains a symbol of the fight for decent working conditions. As Jerkič pointed out, while circumstances change, the core message remains the same: “Nothing is given, everything is fought for – and it can be lost very quickly.”

In her view, trade unions still play a key role in representing employees’ interests and participating in social dialogue. In Slovenia, this also takes place within the framework of the Economic and Social Council, which brings together representatives of the government, employers and employees. According to the guest, high-quality social dialogue is one of the foundations of a stable and fair society, and she emphasised that it has significantly strengthened during the current government’s term.

The guest also highlighted the importance of appropriate legislation, such as the minimum wage, which becomes necessary when social dialogue does not function effectively. She noted that Slovenia has relatively well-developed labour legislation, but that problems often arise in its implementation.

In conclusion, the guest emphasised the importance of solidarity: “An individual can hardly stand alone, but together it is easier. It is important that people are aware of their rights and also exercise them.”

The episode encourages reflection on the kind of society we want to build and the place of work within it – today and in the future.

You are invited to watch and listen.<

Ob 23. aprilu, svetovnem dnevu knjige, je bila v ospredju pogovora z državno sekretarko Vesno Humar razprava o pomenu branja v sodobni družbi. Ta dan, ki ga je Unesco simbolično povezal z obletnicama smrti Williama Shakespeara in Miguela de Cervantesa, opozarja na izjemno vlogo knjige pri razvoju posameznika in družbe.

V najnovejši epizodi GOVSI podkasta je gostja poudarila, da knjige niso le vir znanja, temveč prostor domišljije, razmisleka in osebne rasti. Branje po njenem mnenju ni pasivna dejavnost, temveč aktivno ustvarjanje notranjih svetov, ki krepi sposobnost razumevanja kompleksnih družbenih vprašanj.

Poseben poudarek je bil namenjen vlogi branja pri razvoju kritičnega mišljenja, zlasti med mladimi. V času hitrih in pogosto površinskih informacij branje daljših in zahtevnejših besedil omogoča poglobljeno razumevanje ter odpornost proti dezinformacijam.

Leto 2026 je posvečeno pesniku Srečku Kosovelu in pisateljici Zofki Kveder, kar dodatno poudarja pomen literature za slovensko kulturno identiteto. Takšna obeleževanja krepijo zavedanje o bogati literarni dediščini ter spodbujajo razmislek o sodobnih družbenih vprašanjih, vključno z vlogo žensk v literaturi.

Knjiga ostaja tudi ključna vez med Slovenci v zamejstvu in po svetu. Dostop do sodobnih slovenskih vsebin, zlasti v digitalni obliki, je pomemben za ohranjanje jezika, kulture in občutka pripadnosti.

Ob svetovnem dnevu knjige tako ostaja jasno sporočilo: branje ni le osebna izbira, temveč naložba v znanje, kulturo in prihodnost družbe.

Vabljeni k poslušanju na vseh priljubljenih platformah za podkaste ter na YouTube kanalu Vlade Republike Slovenije.

[ENGLISH VERSION]

On 23 April, World Book Day, the discussion with State Secretary Vesna Humar focused on the importance of reading in contemporary society. The day, symbolically linked by UNESCO to the anniversaries of the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, highlights the exceptional role of books in the development of both individuals and society.

In the latest episode of the GOVSI podcast, State Secretary Vesna Humar emphasised that books are not only a source of knowledge, but also a space for imagination, reflection, and personal growth. In her view, reading is not a passive activity, but an active process of creating inner worlds that strengthens our ability to understand complex social issues.

Particular emphasis was placed on the role of reading in developing critical thinking, especially among young people. In a time of fast and often superficial information, reading longer and more demanding texts enables deeper understanding and greater resilience to disinformation.

The year 2026 is dedicated to poet Srečko Kosovel and writer Zofka Kveder, further underlining the importance of literature for Slovenia’s cultural identity. Such commemorations strengthen awareness of the country’s rich literary heritage and encourage reflection on contemporary social issues, including the role of women in literature.

Books also remain a key link for Slovenians living abroad. Access to modern Slovenian content, especially in digital form, is essential for preserving language, culture, and a sense of belonging.

On World Book Day, the message is clear: reading is not just a personal choice, but an investment in knowledge, culture, and the future of society.

You are invited to listen to the conversation on all major podcast platforms and on the YouTube channel of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

V novi epizodi GOVSI podkasta je naš gost ameriški strokovnjak za medijsko zakonodajo Michael M. Epstein, ki opozarja na vpliv dezinformacij na demokracijo, zlasti pred volitvami.

Profesor Epstein poudarja, da so zanesljive informacije temelj demokracije, in izpostavlja razliko med dezinformacijami (z namenom zavajanja) in napačnimi informacijami. V času družbenih omrežij in umetne inteligence je po njegovih besedah vse težje preveriti verodostojnost informacij.

Kot rešitev predlaga koncept informacijske suverenosti – pomembno ni le, kaj je vsebina informacije, ampak predvsem od kod prihaja, kdo je vir informacije. Državljanom svetuje, naj postanejo kritični, odgovorni uporabniki informacij in naj vedno preverijo vir, še posebej pred volitvami.

Epizoda ponuja ključne vpoglede v enega največjih izzivov sodobne družbe – kako zaščititi demokracijo v času motenj informacijskega kaosa.

Vabljeni k poslušanju pogovora na vseh priljubljenih platformah za podkaste ter na YouTube kanalu Vlade Republike Slovenije.

[ENGLISH VERSION]

In the latest episode of the GOVSI podcast, the guest is Michael M. Epstein, a U.S. expert in media law, who highlights the impact of disinformation on democracy, especially in the run-up to elections.

He emphasizes that reliable information is the foundation of democracy and points out the difference between disinformation (intentional deception) and misinformation. In the age of social media and artificial intelligence, he notes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to verify the credibility of information.

As a solution, he proposes the concept of information sovereignty – what matters is not only the content of information, but also its origin. He advises citizens to become critical and responsible consumers of information and to always verify sources, particularly before elections.

The episode offers key insights into one of the biggest challenges of modern society – how to protect democracy in an era of information chaos.

You are invited to listen to the conversation on all major podcast platforms and on the YouTube channel of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.