Copyright (c) 2010 Radio Prague (Cesky Rozhlas 7 - Radio Praha)
News Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
By: Chris Johnstone
* The main body representing Czech trades unions has slammed proposed
government changes to labour rules saying employees would be the worst
off in Europe.
* Unions representing health and social service workers says they are
ready to go on strike if there is no agreement on proposed pay cuts and
changes in work conditions.
* Czech police have begun investigating the case of an alleged Russian
spy who may have infiltrated the Army General Staff.
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Union confederation says proposed changes would give Czechs worst
labour rights in Europe
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The Czech Republic's main grouping of trades unions has slammed
proposed changes in the labour law set out by the government. In an
official response to the proposals, the Czech and Moravian
Confederation of Trades Unions said the changes would result in Czech
employees having the worst working conditions in Europe. The
confederation said there was no need for the changes with the Czech
labour market already more flexible than most in the 27-strong European
Union but job security weaker than average. Changes proposed by the
government include lengthening the duration of fixed term contracts to
five years from two, doubling the maximum period for specific goal
related contracts and making lay-offs easier. The confederation also
complained that it was not properly consulted about the changes.
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Health and social workers' unions say ready for strike over pay,
conditions
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The main grouping of health and social service workers has warned that
it is prepared to give notice of strike action if proposed changes in
wages and conditions are pushed through. The union said that it was
resolutely opposed to plans for an across the board pay cut of 10
percent and changes in the way wages are calculated and was ready to
start strike preparations if there was no agreement. It said on Tuesday
that the changes would only hasten the exodus of qualified staff to
work abroad. Health Minister Leos Heger said the wages cut had to be
respected if the ministry was to save around 10 billion crowns this
year.
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Police begin investigating case of Russian spy
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Czech police have begun investigating the case of an alleged Russian
spy who may have infiltrated the Army General Staff. The charges were
pressed by the former head of the police section for investigations in
the armed forces, Martin Hadek. He has questioned why no one is being
investigated in spite of a scandal that resulted in the dismissal of
three army generals and a major. The daily Mlada fronta Dnes reported
in late July that the alleged agent had been gathering information
about the generals via the major, who ran their office. He is said to
have disappeared in late 2009 and went to Moscow.
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Brazil dispatches suspected Czech waste back to sender
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Brazil is sending a cargo of suspected illegal waste thought to have
originated in the Czech Republic back to Hamburg. Brazilian authorities
found the shipment of 22 tons of illegal waste at the start of the
month. Czech authorities originally downplayed the idea it could come
from the Czech Republic but the Ministry of Environment now says it is
carrying out checks at a local firm from which the waste could have
originated. The waste is being shipped back to Hamburg where it could
be disposed of. It is illegal under an international convention to ship
waste from rich countries to poor.
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President Klaus names ombudsman nominees
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Czech President Vaclav Klaus has nominated former South Bohemia
regional governor Jan Zahradnik and human rights activist John Bok to
fill the vacant post of public ombudsman. The post has been vacant
since May when previous incumbent Otakar Motejl died. The lower house
of parliament failed to choose a replacement from the nominees put
forward by the president and upper house, the Senate, in July. The
nearest candidate was Czech Helsinki Committee chairman Anna Sabatova
who fell short by seven votes. The Senate will announce its latest
suggestions for the post on Wednesday with the lower house to make a
second stab at choosing an ombudsman by September 7.
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Finance Ministry drafts new gaming law amendments
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The Finance Ministry has prepared a fresh amendment to the country's
lottery law aimed at allowing local councils to clamp down on automatic
gaming machines and bars. The changes would allow councils to regulate
the most modern video gaming machines as well as the traditional one
armed bandit machines for which they already have powers. The ministry
proposal calls for a maximum five year phase out period for lotteries
and other games of chance so that investments can be recouped. A
previous attempt to clamp down on the gaming industry failed when
President Vaclav Klaus vetoed it in June. He argued many charities and
associations would suffer from not receiving their share of gaming and
lottery receipts.
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Czech companies' payment record deteriorates
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Czech companies are becoming even worse at paying their bills on time
due to the economic crisis, according to a survey of more than 22,000
firms. The survey by the company CSOB Factoring shows that firms on
average pay bills 19 days after the due date. That means that the
average time for payment to be made after the bill is sent has risen to
72 days from 59 days in 2008. The economic crisis is put down to the
continuing caution caused by the economic crisis. In some sectors,
however, the payments record is much better than average. This is for
example the case of the auto sector where bills are on average paid
within 40 days.
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Economic confidence eases slightly in August
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Confidence in the Czech economy slipped slightly in August compared
with July according to figures released by the Czech Statistical Office
on Tuesday. The overall confidence indicator fell 0.8 points over the
month. Consumer confidence fell by 4.5 points over the month,
outweighing a slight rise in business sentiment. The industry and trade
sectors were the most optimistic with construction still in the dumps.
The level of the composite confidence index is 16.3 points higher than
a year earlier. Confidence has generally been rising since the end of
2009 following the steep drop during the economic crisis.
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Transport minister appoints new head of motorway directorate
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Czech Transport Minister Vit Barta has sacked the head of the country's
Road and Motorway Directorate and immediately named his successor. The
outgoing head of the directorate, Alfred Brunclik, was punished for
including a key bridge on the route of the D47 motorway among
construction work that the directorate planned to freeze due to cost
cutting. The D47 links Ostrava with the rest of the country and
continues to the Polish border. His successor, Jiri Svorc, said the
directorate would seek maximum savings not just from ongoing
construction projects but also operating costs. The directorate has
long been under fire for the high construction costs of Czech motorways
compared with others in Europe.
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Czech football manager names near full strength squad
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In football, Czech manager Michal Bilek has named a near full strength
squad for the first European Championship qualifier against Lithuania.
The squad includes recently sidelined goalkeeper Petr Cech and striker
Milan Baros. The only major absence is injured defender Tomas Sivok.
The opening qualifier for the 2012 European Championships will be
played in Olomouc on September 7.
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Weather
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Forecasters are expecting showers to clear up over the next days.
Daytime temperatures will touch the mid 20s Celsius.
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Articles posted on www.radio.cz today
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Current Affairs
Head of Supreme Audit Office accused of abusing position
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At a time when Czech politicians are about to lose many of their perks,
one man stands corrected. The head of the Supreme Audit Office is
suspected of having enjoyed more privileges than his position merits.
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/131046
Current Affairs
Analyst: reforms will not be as tough as trade unions expect
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Czech trade unions have slammed changes to the labour code proposed by
the government which would extend the length of short-term contracts,
slash severance pay, and cut unemployment benefits for people who quit
their jobs. The country's main group of trade unions said Tuesday that
if the changes went through, Czech employees would have the worst
working conditions in Europe. Not all, however, are certain the
government will push through all the tough changes it is promising -
not without fully negotiating with the unions first.
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/131045
Current Affairs
Interior Ministry plans "painful year" for police and fire departments
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As government ministries prepare for a year of austerity, the Interior
Ministry has announced its plans for cutting its budget by 8.3 billion
crowns. The result is what Minister Radek John warned would be a
painful year for police and fire departments, which - in addition to
facing pay cuts from the Labour Ministry - will also be stripped down
to the bone financially. Many are concerned what the cuts will mean for
safety and security.
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/131044
Music Express
Eddie Stoilow - The Face of 'New Pop'
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In this week's Music Express our guest is Jan Zampa the talented
singer/guitarist for Eddie Stoilow - an unusual Czech band founded in
2004. The group has grown increasingly popular, especially following
the long, much-awaited release of just their first album just last
year. Humorously called The Best of Eddie Stoilow, the album brought
hits such as Hey You, Floating, and the catchy Realize and Compromise.
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/131027
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