Agricultural trade unions call for general strike

Prague, Sept 4 (CTK) - Czech agricultural trade unions yesterday called on their members, other trade unions and all other employees to participate in a general strike against the government policy, to be held on September 27 at 12:00 and to last two hours, the agricultural trade union leadership has told CTK.

The agricultural trade unions are members of the second biggest trade union umbrella organisation, the Association of Independent Trade Unions (ASO).

"The strike is to voice a deep dissatisfaction and disagreement with the policy of the governing coalition," ASO and also agricultural trade union head Bohumir Dufek said.

Dufek said the government had "assumed the role of a national saviour," but it harmed the Czech Republic with its steps.

Dufek pointed to increases in taxes and its impact on low-income groups, families with children, pensioners and the disabled.

"Scaring the public with Greece and pointing to the countries that are even worse off than us is nothing but a tragicomic veil," Dufek said, adding that the government only wanted to stick to power.

The biggest umbrella trade union organisation, the Bohemian and Moravian Confederation of Unions (The CMKOS), has not yet received detailed information on the appeal.

"We expect the agricultural trade union to be ready to communicate with CMKOS and to discuss cooperation," Josef Stredula, a member of the CMKOS leadership and chairman of its strongest member, KOVO, said.

Stredula said it would be premature now to voice any agreement with or rejection of the possible strike.

The CMKOS leadership is scheduled to meet on September 17.

Stredula said the CMKOS was not satisfied with the government's policy either.

He said members of the KOVO trade union were very "angry and upset at the government's behaviour."

The Finance Ministry has submitted a budget bill for next year to be debated at the ongoing session of the Chamber of Deputies.

Despite the recession, the government has decided not to increase the deficit.

It plans to increase VAT and to decrease the growth of pensions within the austerity budget measures.

Some coalition deputies are reluctant to support the legislation.

The trade unions are against the government steps. Last week, they agreed with Prime Minister Petr Necas and representatives of employers to return to the tripartite talks after six months. The meeting is scheduled for September 24.