Labour and Social Affairs Minister pushing for changes in unemployment benefits

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Nečas has indicated he hopes to introduce changes in unemployment benefits in the near future through new legislation. Saturday’s Právo reported that the minister is planning to raise benefits to 65 percent of net income instead of the current 50 percent, but also to cut state support by one month. Currently, the unemployed can be slotted for support for six, nine, or 12 months, periods which would each be shortened by 30 days. The minister told the paper also that if unemployed individuals, registered with the labour office for more than five months, rejected offered employment or retraining, they could be deleted from the registry - losing benefits. Mr Nečas has said that a final version of the draft bill will be completed in two weeks’ time.