Czech tripartite discusses social services bill

The bill is designed to change the current social services system according to which people, for instance, wrongly use the care allowance provided by the state to the disabled and the needy elderly.

Jana Kasparova, spokeswoman for the umbrella Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation (CMKOS), told CTK that the unions approved of the ministry's proposals for changes.

"Union representatives praised the ministry for its constructive approach also in the past at working groups' meetings," Kasparova said.

The disabled and needy elderly people can receive care allowances from the state between 2000 and 11,000 crowns a month.

They decide on their own whether they pay for stay in institutions or care within the family.

However, according to non-profit organisations that offer social services some people who are entitled to the care allowances abuse them.

The amendment stipulates lowering of the lowest amount of the allowance to 800 crowns while the highest amount would be increased to 12,000 crowns a month, Kasparova said.

On the other hand, the union representatives disagree with the draft state budget for 2009 that envisions the lowering of the spending for social services by 1.7 billion crowns compared to this year.

They are afraid that social services providers would lack up to two billion crowns that could have "fatal consequences."

The tripartite council comprising representatives of the government, unions and employers, also discussed possible changes in the rules for the functioning of job agencies.

"Although job agencies are a flexible form of employment their existence entails great risk. It has become clear that business activities carried out by some of them are not decent and that the agencies earn profits to the detriment of dignified work conditions of people whom they find jobs," Kasparova said.

A special team made up of representatives of the Labour and Social Affairs, Interior, Industry and Trade and Finance ministries as well as representatives of the CMKOS and the Confederation of Industry will work on the possible changes in the legislation concerning the functioning of the job agencies, Kasparova said.

The tripartite will have its next meeting on October 30 when the new legislation in health care will be discussed.

(USD1=18.036 Czech crowns)