Czech unions oppose pay cut

The main Czech union confederation CMKOS has expressed its strong opposition to the austerity plans of the country’s new centre-right coalition government led by Petr Necas of the Civic Democrats.

The triple alliance coalition has already announced that it intends to make major spending cuts, with a possible 10% cut in the pay of those working in the state sector.

It also intends to change labour legislation, making it possible for employees to be on temporary contracts for five years rather the current two.

CMKOS unions from the public sector said at a press conference last month that cuts in pay would lead to a loss of skilled staff in the public sector producing, for example, a “devastating impact on health care”.

The unions have promised protest actions if the government introduces its austerity measures without taking account of union concerns.