Innovations from Poprad – ROMA Friendly Company (part 1)

How employing Roma strengthens business, social cohesion, and the sustainability of companies

Poprad, March 26, 2026

More than 30% of employees at the Poprad plant of Beko Manufacturing Slovakia (formerly Whirlpool Slovakia, a major washing machine manufacturer) are people of Roma origin. This long-term successful model of inclusive and supported employment was the main topic of the professional working visit.

Inclusion Can Work on a Large Scale

The aim of our visit was to introduce participants to the long-term successful model of employing the Roma community at the Poprad plant of Beko Manufacturing Slovakia, which is now considered one of the most prominent examples showing that inclusive corporate policy can be not only value-driven, but also functional, economically meaningful, and sustainable in the long term.

BEKO in Poprad has long demonstrated that when a company establishes fair working conditions, active recruitment, support during adaptation, and cooperation with regional partners, it can truly open employment opportunities even to people who are often excluded from the labour market.

More than 30% of employees here are people of Roma origin. This makes the Poprad plant an exceptional example of inclusion in an industrial environment and on a large scale—not as a one-off project, but as part of a well-thought-out and long-term corporate strategy.

“I was truly impressed by the visit to the BEKO plant in Poprad. It is wonderful to see that Roma are a natural part of the work teams here and that the company creates an environment that is genuinely welcoming and open to everyone. At a time when labour shortages are often discussed, Roma represent a significant and still not fully utilized potential of our labour market. That is why I especially appreciate that they have managed to develop this potential here to the fullest,” says Lucie Fuková, Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs.

She adds:

“I was very impressed by the training centres and the overall employee care system. It is clear that when a company invests in people and gives them opportunities, it pays off in the form of loyalty and long-term cooperation. The average length of employment of 16 years is clear proof of this. You can feel the positive atmosphere here at every step. Moreover, when the company’s leadership, including BEKO Europe CEO Jaroslav Grygar, speaks about diversity as part of the company’s DNA, it sends a strong signal that an inclusive approach is worthwhile. These are exactly the kinds of good practice examples that need to be highlighted and followed.”

Social and Economic Stability

Experience from Poprad confirms that inclusive and supported employment not only has a social impact, but also brings concrete benefits for companies and regions. These include in particular:

• greater stability of work teams,

• support for regional employment,

• reduction of social exclusion,

• and strengthening of both economic and social sustainability.

Innovations from Poprad also show that successful inclusion does not emerge in isolation. It is the result of a long-term corporate strategy and targeted cooperation with public administration, schools, and the non-profit sector.

This cooperation among multiple stakeholders is one of the key factors of success. Without support and mutual synergy, these initiatives may fail, as we sometimes see not only in Slovakia but also in the Czech Republic.

“Jaroslav Grygar and his team at Beko Europe in Poprad have been proving for several years that it is possible to successfully employ people from socially excluded Roma communities. This approach requires both financial and human resources, which is why many companies eventually give it up. What is clearly missing for other relevant employers to join is systematic support from the state. Only in this way can we move from short-term projects to long-term integration,” says Ivana Vagaská, Executive Director of Business Leaders Forum Slovakia.

A Challenge for Companies and Public Institutions

The experience of good practice from BEKO Europe has once again confirmed that diversity and inclusion are not a passing trend, but increasingly represent a strategic advantage for companies that want to be stable, responsible, and competitive in the long term.

The project Innovations from Poprad – ROMA Friendly Company therefore offers inspiration not only to employers, but also to public administration, local governments, and other institutions seeking functional and sustainable solutions in employment and social inclusion. It is a working practice that changes people’s lives, strengthens companies, and brings real impact to society as a whole.

The working visit was organized by the alliance of responsible companies “Business for Society” in cooperation with Lucie Fuková, the Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs in the Czech Republic, and the host company Beko Manufacturing Slovakia. The Diversity Charter Slovakia served as the event’s communications partner. The working visit also took place with the support and personal participation of Alexander Daško, the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities.

The working visit was also attended by representatives of the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Czech Labor Office, the business sector, experts—including Roma non-governmental organizations—as well as media representatives from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.