Prague, Aug 31 (CTK) – The Czech government parties agreed on Wednesday on setting 65 as the retirement age limit when the proposal by the Social Democrats (CSSD) and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) was also backed by the ANO movement at the Coalition Council meeting though it previously opposed it as populist.
ANO chairman Andrej Babis, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister, previously indicated that ANO would adapt its position in a situation where the proposal has been supported by both of its partners.
“Yes, we have agreed that [a prospect of] certainty must be given to people. We have agreed on setting a [retirement age] cap at 65 years as of 2030,” ANO deputy chairman Jaroslav Faltynek told journalists.
He said ANO has pushed through that negotiations will be held between Babis and Labour and Social Affairs Minister Michaela Marksova (CSSD) on the right of physically demanding professions, such as nurses, drivers and firefighters, for early retirement.
Before the meeting on Wednesday, Babis said ANO will adapt its position to that of its partners, but he insisted that the proposal is populist and connected with the forthcoming regional elections.
“It is important to tell people that the capping of the retirement age is directly linked to the height of pensions. The lower the cap is, the less money [the state will have] for pensions,” Babis said.
Marksova, who submitted the proposal, said it is fair towards the working people to outline a clear prospect as to the age at which they would have the right to retire.
The Czech Republic is the only country in Europe without a defined retirement age limit, which is absurd, Marksova said.
Under the present system, the retirement age has been annually rising by two months for men and four months for women. Czech legislation, nevertheless, supposes the unification of the retirement age for men and women born after 1971.
If the state introduced the limit of 65 years, it would apply to this group of people.
