Unions call on gov't to take steps against unemployment

Prague, Feb 26 (CTK) - The representatives of trade unions and employers called on the Czech government to take urgent steps against the rising unemployment at a tripartite meeting yesterday.

There are 585,809 unemployed people in the 10.5 million Czech Republic. The number swelled by 40,498 in January. The unemployment rate is 8 percent, according to a new calculation methodology.

But the meeting of the tripartite, including representatives of the employers, employees and the government, has not achieved any result because Labour Minister Ludmila Muellerova (TOP 09) was the only cabinet member present.

"The talks are pointless without ministers. These are strategic documents," union leader Jan Wiesner said.

The energy strategy, social services, minimum wage, agricultural policy and other issues will therefore be discussed at some other meeting.

The tripartite was originally to meet on February 21, but Prime Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) was on an official visit to Bavaria then and the meeting was scheduled for yesterday.

Jaroslav Zavadil, head of the CMKOS umbrella union, said he expected the government to secure that its ministers would take part in the tripartite meeting.

For the tripartite to make a decision, at least four ministers must be present.

The unions and employers also demand that all new tax laws be effective as of 2015 instead of 2014.

Some of the laws are to take effect next year and some of them only in 2015. This might result in even more confusion in the economic development, Zavadil said.

The unions also want the government to postpone the effectiveness of the Civil Code.

"We have heard the urgent calls of both of our social partners and so we realise that a big discussion on it is needed," Muellerova said.

Necas and Transport Minister Zbynek Stanjura (ODS) attended a part of the meeting, but then they had to leave.

Muellerova said the tripartite yesterday had an extensive and lengthy debate on the surging unemployment and economic growth.

The ministers concerned are to discuss possible steps against the increasing unemployment after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.