Czech.Republic
Background information on industrial relations in Czech.Republic
- 24 Apr 2012
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Employment and Industrial Relations in the Hotels and RestaurantsIn connection with the economic crisis, since 2008 the former capacity increase in the Czech sector of hotels, restaurants and catering has stopped and by contrast its decline was registered. Some entrepreneurs, especially the small ones, left the market, wages were declining and the employment in the sector decreased. A gradual turn has occurred since 2010. For the first time from 2008, the drop in the visitor rate stopped. However, accommodation prices remained on their historical minimum, returning to a higher level only very slowly.
- 23 Apr 2012
Czech Republic: Retail chain wins equal opportunities awardFor the first time, a retail cosmetics and toiletries chain, DM Drogerie Markt, was among the recently announced winners of the Czech Republic’s ‘Company of the Year: Equal Opportunities Award 2011’. In first and third places were the bankers Česká spořitelna and IBM Czech Republic, less surprising winners since the banking and IT sectors are known for supporting female employees. The awards highlight the country’s most successful equal opportunities policies.
- 23 Apr 2012
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the insurance sectorInsurance is a small sector in the Czech Republic. Insurance companies have reported good results, even during the economic crisis. The growing competitive environment offers good conditions for further development of the sector, especially as the results of some surveys show that companies are optimistic about an increase in their market share. At sectoral level, social dialogue is led by the Trade Union of Banking and Insurance Workers and the Association of Banks and Insurance Companies. These organisations also conclude the collective agreement for their sector.
- 27 Mar 2012
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: Representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the paper sectorThe paper and pulp industry ranks among the most important branches of Czech industry and has a good environmental performance. Paper production is based primarily on recyclable raw materials (waste paper) and permanently renewable raw materials of domestic origin (wood). For a number of years the industry has been implementing a sustainable development strategy. Key producers are organised in the Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, with its member companies producing more than 85% of the country’s overall production of pulp, paper, cardboard and boards. Besides company-level agreements a higher-level collective agreement is concluded in the sector. Two trade union associations are active in the industry.
- 21 Mar 2012
Czech Republic: Cautious welcome for changes to Labour CodeThe new amendment to the Czech Labour Code came into force from 1 January 2012. It aims to provide employees and employers with more contractual freedom and increase labour market flexibility. It is the most substantial change in Czech labour law since 2007 and was prepared by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Jaromír Drábek. The unions, while welcoming some improvements to employment laws, say that the law reduces employees’ overall protection and job security.
- 07 Mar 2012
Czech Republic: Czech Republic: The representativeness of trade unions and employer associations in the fisheries sectorCzech Republic is an inland country, therefore this contribution is focused on the sectors 3.12 Freshwater Fishing and 3.22 Freshwater Aquaculture. Both these sectors are conceived as one unit. This is because sector 3.12 is quite small (the resultant sector is small anyway) and because the two sectors can be differentiated only with difficulty, even from the perspective of collective bargaining.
- 05 Mar 2012
Czech Republic: Government rejects proposal for minimum wage increaseIn December 2011, the Czech government rejected an increase in the minimum wage proposed by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and approved by the tripartite Council of Economic and Social Agreement. The Government defended its position against trade union opposition, saying the proposed increase could have a negative impact on the economy. The minimum wage has not risen since January 2007, and even employers’ organisations have accepted the need for an increase in 2012.
- 27 Feb 2012
Czech Republic: New regulations aim to fight bogus self-employmentAn amendment to the Czech Republic’s Labour Code, which came into force on 1 January 2012, aims to fight bogus self-employment. This form of employment had previously been just within the law, but the new regulations define dependent work more precisely and will make bogus self-employment unambiguously illegal. Financial penalties for bogus self-employment have been increased for both employers and workers, and labour inspectorates plan to introduce more controls in 2012.
- 10 Feb 2012
Czech Republic: Medical unions pledge to continue protest over payMedical trade unions in the Czech Republic have launched a protest campaign called ‘We’re staying, keep your promises!’. The new campaign, started in November 2011, follows on from one in 2010 called ‘Thank you, we’re leaving!’ that demanded both pay rises and secure funding for wages in the Czech hospital sector. Now there is concern that Health Minister Leoš Heger’s promises, made in February 2011, that there would be 2012 pay increases for all hospital workers may not be kept.
- 30 Jan 2012
Czech Republic: Czech Airlines settles dispute with pilots over airplane transferOn 1 December 2011 the pilots of Czech Airlines (CSA) launched a protest against the transfer of the leases of 11 aeroplanes to the company Holidays Czech Airlines within the Český Aeroholding group. The transfer was part of a restructuring of the airline. As part of the protest, some pilots did not come to work, with the result that CSA had to cancel 25 flights. Agreement was reached later in the month on the transfer of both planes and pilots to Holidays Czech Airlines.