Slovakia's unemployment rate dipped to a six-year low of 11.48 percent in May thanks to an upswing in seasonal work, the government reported Monday. "May is when seasonal work is in full swing and unemployment is down," Slovak social affairs minister Jan Richter told the press. However the unemployment rate could climb up again when June graduates arrive on the labour market, he warned. The number of registered unemployed dropped by nearly 5,600 over the month and around 36,000 over the year to stand at 309,523 at the end of May.
The country of 5.4 million has been part of the eurozone since 2009, and the EU since 2004. Its economy has grown steadily, with numerous car assembly factories opening in the country, but unemployment has remained stubbornly high.