Government passes pensioner contribution proposal ahead of elections

The Czech government has approved legislation that would see pensioners and invalids receive a one off CZK 5,000 contribution in December, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced on Wednesday. The law is now headed for a vote in Parliament.

Some 2.89 million Czech citizens would be eligible for the contribution, which would take away CZK 14.5 billion from the budget.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs says the legislation is aimed at mitigating the difference between wages and pensions that has expanded over the past years.

However, the proposal has come under heavy fire from members of the opposition who say it is a “bribe” to get voters ahead of the October Senate elections.