Prague, Oct 17 (CTK) – The Czech tripartite council that brings together representatives of the government, trade unions and employers debated a broader opening of the labour market and the opportunities for the unemployed to enter it at its regular meeting on Monday.
The proposed measures include a bonus for commuting to work, retraining and regional supportive projects, according to statements by PM Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) and Confederation of Industry President Jaroslav Hanak.
The tripartite council also dealt with the drawing of EU funds and problems of transport construction projects.
Firms have asked the government to facilitate and speed up the issuing of work permits to foreigners in view of the economic growth and the lack of job applicants. The unions consider this matter sensitive.
CMKOS umbrella trade union organisation chairman Josef Stredula said on Monday the unions would not support any projects in support of foreign labour force’s inflow except for the existing one applied to workers from Ukraine.
The unemployment rate in the Czech Republic dropped to 5.2 percent in September from 5.3 percent in August with the number of the unemployed totalling 378,258 people at the end of the month. It has been the lowest figure since December 2008.
There are almost 141,000 vacancies and their number was higher in August 2008 last time.
Some 80,000 up to 90,000 unemployed can find jobs on the labour market, Hanak said. “We are seeking mainly technical staff,” he added.
Debating a report on drawing finances from EU funds, the unions and employers agreed that the pace of the European money drawing was insufficient.
The tripartite council postponed a debate on labour safety until January, Stredula said.
The next meeting of the tripartite council is scheduled for November 21 and it should primarily focus on the action plan in support of economic growth and employment, Stredula said.
