Lower House approves new labour code

Social Democrat and Communist Deputies joined forces to push through a much disputed new labour code during a session of the Lower House of the Czech Parliament on Wednesday. The opposition Civic Democrats and the two junior ruling coalition parties, the Christian Democrats and the Freedom Union, have expressed fears that it would increase the authority of trade unions and threaten the flexibility of the labour market.

The lower house also approved an amendment to the consumer protection law, which - among other things - would allow for entrepreneurs who violate the law to be fined up to 50 million crowns. The maximum fine currently stands at one million crowns. The labour code and amendment have yet to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.