The government has withdrawn a controversial proposal to make it compulsory to employ foreign citizens solely under employment contracts, which aroused strong objections from employers and industry organisations. The change, imposed by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, would have made it compulsory to employ a foreign citizen under an employment contract in situations where the basis for employment was a work permit or a statement on entrusting work to a foreign citizen. Critics argued that the regulation would reduce the flexibility of the labour market and increase the shadow economy.