Round Table Discussion: Youth Precarious Work – Challenge, Inevitability or Choice?

You are invited to attend the round table discussion Youth Precarious Work – Challenge, Inevitability or Choice?, organised by MC Oton – Zavod Novo mesto in cooperation with LokalPatriot.

Is precarious work a choice or a necessity? Does it represent freedom or exploitation? Is it an inevitability and the new reality?
These key dilemmas will be explored in the context of the growing prevalence of precarious work among young people, an increasingly common trend in today’s labour market. We will discuss the various forms it takes, how it affects the lives of young people, and what can be done as a society — within different institutions, projects, and systemic solutions — at a regional round table entitled Youth Precarious Work – Challenge, Inevitability or Choice?

The regional round table is organised as part of the project Tackling Youth Precariousness through Youth Work and will take place on Thursday, 19th February 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the LokalPatriot café in Novo mesto (Rozmanova ulica 21, Novo mesto).

The main purpose of the event is to connect key representatives of institutions that work with young people in various roles — as service providers, advisers, youth workers, employers, or partners in creating a supportive environment.

Special attention will also be given to working conditions in the cultural sector, presented by a guest from a well-known music group from the Dolenjska region.

Participants in the discussion will include:

• Tatjana Muhič, representative of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia (ESS), Head of Regional Office III

• Tena Komel and Snježana Logar, representatives of the student employment agency Mjobs

• Igor Iljaš, Secretary of the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) for the regions of Dolenjska, Bela krajina and Posavje

• Sara Mirt, MA in Social Work, professional staff member at the Centre for Social Work specialising in work with adolescents

• Tomaž Zupančič, self-employed cultural worker, alternative indie rock musician, also active as a composer, producer and instrumentalist

All young people working through student jobs, as sole traders, on copyright contracts, or moving from one project to another are warmly invited to attend.

Event website