Prague, Nov 9 (CTK) – Miners from underground mines should retire five years sooner than other people as from October 2016, the Czech government decided at a fifth try yesterday, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) has written on Twitter.
The implementation of the bill, under which the miners would retire at the age of 58 and that is yet to be passed by parliament, will cost 11.6 billion crowns by 2055, the finance ministry has calculated.
The government debated the draft amendment in the spring for the first time. It was again on its agenda in July and twice in September.
The Finance Ministry was opposed to it, saying it is not possible to change the pension system because of a threat of unemployment.
Finance Minister Andrej Babis (ANO) wanted the owner of the OKD mines in Ostrava, north Moravia, where the mines are situated, to contribute more to the new system.
According to CTK´s information, ANO ministers abstained from the vote yesterday.
The Labour and Social Affairs ministry proposes that the measure should apply to miners who worked 3300 shifts in an underground mine or 2200 shifts in a uranium mine.
The retirement age for men in the country is less than 63 years now. The age limit is extended by two months annually.
($1=24.892 crowns)
