Czechs who lost work for political reasons could receive compensation under new law

People who were thrown out of work for political reasons under the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia could receive compensation, under a new bill put forward by Social and Civic Democrat deputies. The bill passed in a first reading on Friday in the lower house. If the bill comes into law, those eligible could receive compensation of up to 2,500 crowns per month; it is estimated that the overall programme would annually cost the state 100 million crowns. Legislators would like to see a final reading before the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on November 17.