Nationwide protest meeting of trade unionists

Czech trade union leaders met in Prague on 19 February, 2011, to discuss how they will act together against proposed government reforms to the pension system, healthcare, taxation and the labour code. The protest meeting, of members of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, (ČMKOS) was attended by more than 1,000 heads of trade union affiliates. They have now launched a campaign to raise public awareness and have announced they may consider a general strike.

Background

The Czech government has proposed a wide array of reforms to the pension system, healthcare, Labour Code and taxation. Most trade unionists are opposed to the pension reform, which will transfer part of the pension insurance from state management to private funds, and to the proposed increase in VAT to 17.5% from 2013. Trade unions claim the VAT increase will lower the living standards of families with children, pensioners and people with disabilities. Unions have also criticised the planned cancellation of employee meal vouchers, and healthcare reform which is likely to increase the contribution paid by patients.

‘Open your eyes’ campaign

The Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) has indicated it might call a general strike in order to fight the reforms, It also hopes to win public support with its ‘Open your eyes!’ campaign, using Facebook, as well as conventional media to suggest alternatives to the government’s proposals. ČMKOS Chair Jaroslav Zavadil told the protest meeting:

People must realise that the proposed reforms will primarily burden ordinary people, who, however, constitute an overwhelming majority. We must jointly appear on the stage for everybody’s benefit and say that every government acts in such a way which citizens tolerate, and therefore let’s stop gambling with people’s fates. If we fail to act now it will be too late.

The unions also argue that, since they value social consensus, they do not understand why the government is acting without consulting them. Stanislav Antoniv, Chair of the Trade Union of Building Workers of the Czech Republic (OS STAVBA ČR) said:

At the tripartite meeting on 21 April, when the proposals of the pension, healthcare and tax reforms will be discussed, we will see whether the government will act unilaterally, or whether it will accept social dialogue, which should constitute the basis of a developed society. We do not want a failure of dialogue, but a reasonable search for possible compromises.

A similar view is held by the Czech Metalworkers´ Federation KOVO (OS KOVO), which released a statement on 17 March 2011, saying:

Last October we stated that this country does not need social turmoil and demonstrations, but a mutual respect and esteem. We called for the cancellation of measures against employees and employers. It, however, did not hit home. Therefore, we are sending an appeal to all people who are not indifferent to the development of the Czech Republic and are dissatisfied with the proposed, ill-advised ideas of this government.

At the next meeting of the ČMKOS unions, OS KOVO plans to show how it will support and help organise the protest against government reforms.

Unions walk out of tripartite meeting

Despite trade unions’ opposition, the government still insists on the reforms. Trade unions suspended negotiations and left the tripartite meeting on 21 April 2011 because they said the government would not accept their suggestions. The first of a series of anti-reform demonstrations, organised by ČMKOS, was due to be held on 21 May 2011 in Prague.

Soňa Veverková, Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs (RILSA)