Czech.Republic
Background information on industrial relations in Czech.Republic
- 23 Dec 2010
Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Metal sector – Czech RepublicThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the metal sector in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 29 Nov 2010
Czech Republic: Social partner opinions on the draft state budget for 2011In September 2010, the two biggest Czech social partners, the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, published their opinions on the 2011 draft state budget. Both organisations have reservations about it. They differ on some points, but they agree, for example, that spending cuts have not been linked to economic development, and that there is no independent audit of ‘wasteful’ spending by individual ministries.
- 01 Nov 2010
Czech Republic: Trade unionists demonstrate against civil servant pay cutsThousands demonstrated in Prague on 21 September 2010 against civil service pay cuts. The demonstration was organised by the Independent Trade Union of the Police Corps in the Czech Republic and supported by opposition politicians. Trade unionists expected about 20,000 people, but twice that number attended (45,000 according to union estimates). The Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, warned trade unionists ‘will go on a collision course’ over pay cuts.
- 08 Oct 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Posted workersThe Czech Republic has implemented the Directive no. 96/71 EC at the accession date to the European Union, i.e. on 1 May 2004, when the new wording of provisions under Article 6, Act no. 65/1965 Coll., Labour Code, became effective, concerning posting of employees to other member states of the European Communities. Simplification and detailing of the legal regulation has been brought by the new Labour Code.
- 02 Sep 2010
Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – Czech RepublicThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the inland water transport industry in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 31 Aug 2010
Czech Republic: New government wants to reform Labour CodeThe new coalition government in the Czech Republic has agreed on the need to reform the Labour Code in force since January 2007. Proposed changes include liberalisation of employment for a determinate period, reduced severance pay for those working for an employer for less than two years, and enhanced opportunities for companies to employ people on a so-called ‘contract for the performance of a work assignment’. Employee benefit changes are opposed by the trade unions.
- 01 Jul 2010
Czech Republic: Traditional Czech textiles company goes bankruptOn 3 May 2010, the Regional Court in Brno sent the country’s biggest clothes manufacturer, Oděvní podnik Prostějov, into bankruptcy. The company had been in a bad financial situation since January. Although it tried to reorganise itself, it did not manage to get enough funding. The company blames current economic conditions, the low volume of orders and a lack of money. Cheaper products from Asia and a strong Czech currency were other negative factors.
- 23 Jun 2010
Czech Republic: Collective bargaining underway at Škoda AutoŠkoda Auto has not yet reached agreement with the trade unions on the wording of its collective agreement for 2010. The car manufacturer, employing 29,141 people in 2009, is one of the biggest employers in the Czech Republic. As a result, collective bargaining at the company is always a major source of attention for employers, trade unions as well as the professional public. Tensions are mounting over the wage element, with trade unions threatening strike action.
- 07 Jun 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Republic – Developments in social partner organisations: employer organisations’After 1989 the emerging entrepreneurs established a number of associations representing their newly formed, specific interests. Employer organisations were established particularly based on the sectoral, or professional criterion and by type of ownership, with the full juridical subjectivity necessary for collective bargaining and negotiating higher-level collective agreements. As far as the spectrum of activities is concerned, they not only focus on maintaining the social dialogue, or collective bargaining, but also provide business consulting, business contact intermediation, public relations, and so on.
- 01 Jun 2010
Czech Republic: Last pre-election tripartite meeting agrees further anti-crisis measuresThe last tripartite meeting prior to the election for the Parliamentary Chamber of Deputies was held on 22 April 2010. The general election was due to take place on 28 and 29 May. Another tripartite meeting is planned for 3 June. Discussions at the last pre-election meeting criticised the implementation of 38 short-term anti-crisis measures. At the meeting, 13 points were agreed aimed at recovery of the economy, employment growth and managing public expenditure.
- 28 May 2010
Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Catering sector – Czech RepublicThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the contract catering sector in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 14 May 2010
Czech Republic: Trade union strategies to recruit new groups of workers – Czech RepublicPost-communist trade unions were formed after 1989, when, following the collapse of the single Revolutionary Trade Union Movement, more than 70 trade unions began operating, organised mainly according to economic activity. Trade unions are most successful in large companies with over 250 employees. Membership also depends on whether the enterprise is owned by the state, a foreign owner or a Czech entity. There is a low proportion of young members.
- 27 Apr 2010
Czech Republic: Addressing the gender pay gap: Government and social partner actions – Czech RepublicIn the Czech Republic there are numerous initiatives that deal with discrimination and highlight gender inequality and the gender pay gap and propose solutions. The extent of these activities grew in the context of discussions about the Act no.198/2009 Coll., on equal treatment and on legal means of protection against discrimination and on amendments of some laws (Anti-Discrimination Law), respectively, in connection with its complicated preparation (the anti-discrimination law was finally adopted in June 2009). Nevertheless, all the activities which relate to gender inequality and a gender pay gap are rather isolated, in most cases performed by the non-profit sector which has problems financing these activities due to cuts in funding system and the economic crisis.
- 19 Apr 2010
Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Footwear industry – Czech RepublicThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the footwear industry in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 31 Mar 2010
Czech Republic: Tripartite agreement on short-term anti-crisis measuresAt a tripartite meeting on 2 February 2010, the government and social partners agreed on a document consisting of 38 suggestions for short-term measures and ways of dealing with the economic crisis. Despite some dispute among government ministers, the government finally adopted the document during its session on 8 February 2010.
- 15 Mar 2010
Czech Republic: New EU directive aims to prevent exploitation of foreign workersTemporary agency work in the Czech Republic was intended to address the insufficient flexibility of the Czech labour market. However, it became a means of exploitation of foreign workers in particular. The new EU sanctions directive should help to eliminate this problem. It places more responsibility on user companies to check the legal status of the worker. Reputable employment agencies have welcomed the legislation as it will reduce unfair competition in the market.
- 08 Mar 2010
Czech Republic: Trade union leader outlines expectations for 2010The Chair of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS), Milan Štěch, the biggest trade union association in the Czech Republic, has outlined his organisation’s predictions for 2010. Mr Štěch believes that unemployment levels will exceed 10% and warns that fears of job loss could lead to wage stagnation. The trade union federation is concerned that companies are capitalising on the economic crisis to the detriment of employees.
- 19 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Repblic: EIRO Annual Review – 2008It can be said that collective bargaining in 2008 was stable. No changes occurred in the content of higher-level collective agreements; compared to 2007. It was possible to retain or expand the content of company-level collective agreements. Despite the small decrease in the number of trade union organisations, the number of employees covered by collective agreements has grown slightly.
- 17 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Large-scale dismissals and salary cuts target civil serviceCivil servants are likely to bear the burden of government cost-saving measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit. Along with the extensive cancellation of unfilled posts within the civil service, bonuses have been lowered as of 1 January 2010 and significant dismissals are being forecast. Trade unions are opposed to any redundancies or salary cuts, although some deemed the dismissals as inevitable.
- 17 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Survey examines employers’ expectations for 2010The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, the country’s biggest employer organisation, recently published the results of a survey assessing employers’ expectations for 2010. The survey was conducted in 2009 among the confederation’s approximately 1,600 members. While more than two fifths of the companies predict a rise in unemployment in 2010, representatives of numerous sectors agree that the extent of job cuts may not be as intensive as the previous year.
- 17 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Public transport strike averted at last momentIn early November 2009, trade union leaders operating at the Prague Public Transport Company – one of the biggest transport companies in the Czech Republic – agreed to prepare a strike declaration. The trade unions criticised shortcomings in the transport company’s financing by Prague City Hall and disagreed with the planned dismissal of workers along with wage reduction measures. In the end, however, the strike was averted following the conclusion of an agreement.
- 10 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Individual disputes at the workplace – alternative disputes resolutionDisputes between employers and the employees about the rights resulting from the employment relationship (labour disputes) are usually heard and decided by courts in the Czech Republic. Compared with the court settlement of labour disputes, the application of a conciliation, mediation or arbitration procedure in this legal context is still of minor importance.
- 05 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: One in five companies consider moving to countries with cheaper labourA survey carried out in July 2009 by the Czech Chamber of Commerce showed that up to one fifth of domestic companies have considered leaving or moving their business from the Czech Republic. However, findings from a questionnaire conducted by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic among Czech companies in September 2009 indicate a proportion of 7% in this regard. The manufacturing sector is worst affected by relocations due to labour costs.
- 05 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Strike alert at Hyundai car factoryEmployees of the Hyundai car factory in Nošovice in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic are dissatisfied with working conditions, unpaid overtime work and the management approach. Thus, on 2 December 2009, employees spontaneously ceased production for one hour and on 7 December the trade union at the company announced a strike alert. The Hyundai employees have been joined in their protest by employees of subcontracting companies, such as Dymos.
- 05 Feb 2010
Czech Republic: Farmers protest as Czech agriculture declinesFarmers in the Czech Republic organised several protests during 2009 to highlight their difficult circumstances. Prices for milk have decreased below the production cost, prompting farmers to pour thousands of litres of milk into fields in protest. Further demonstrations were organised in December 2009 against the state budget for 2010, which planned to cut the budget for the Ministry of Agriculture. Moreover, the sector is facing serious demographic challenges.
- 26 Jan 2010
Czech Republic: Increase in unemployment tempers wage demandsThe level of unemployment in the Czech Republic in 2009 has been considerably affected by the global economic crisis. Unemployment reached 5.3% in December 2008 and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs estimated that it would rise to 5.7%–6% in 2009. Some estimates, however, forecast that it would increase to 8.5%, or even higher in certain regions. The automobile industry and the glass industry are particularly affected by the economic downturn.
- 26 Jan 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Airlines struggles to survive economic crisisCzech Airlines is facing a difficult economic outlook, with a loss exceeding CZK 2 billion (about €76 million) expected for 2009. The airline’s poor outlook is attributed to a dramatic drop in the number of passengers and lower price air tickets. As a result, pay and job cuts have been implemented at the company. Moreover, in a dramatic move, the management of the company resigned and have been forced to forego the receipt of bonuses.
- 26 Jan 2010
Czech Republic: Social partners evaluate Czech EU PresidencyOn 30 June 2009, the Czech Republic’s Presidency of the European Union ended. The Czech priorities embraced three E’s: economy, energy and Europe in the world, with the motto ‘Europe without barriers’. The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic believes that the Czech Presidency was successful, despite the fall of the government during the six-month period. However, trade unions consider that the Presidency ignored most of the social agenda.
- 21 Jan 2010
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Personal services sectorThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the personal services sector in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 12 Jan 2010
Czech Republic: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Civil aviation – Czech RepublicThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the civil aviation industry in the Czech Republic. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.