News of Radio Prague
State budget deficit rises by 9.4 billion in one month
The state budget deficit has increased by over nine billion Czech crowns within the space of one month. Standing at 32.3 billion Czech crowns at the end of October, it rose to 41.7 billion crowns by the end of November. Finance Ministry estimates expect the state budget deficit in 2002 to be 62.7 billion crowns, some 16.5 billion more than the original deficit approved by parliament.
Government decides to increase minimum wage by 500 Czech crowns
During its session on Monday, the Czech government decided to raise the minimum monthly wage by 500 Czech crowns to 6,200 crowns as of January next year. The minimum wage was introduced in 1991 when it was set at 2,000 Czech crowns. In the Czech Republic it is less than 40 per cent of the average wage. Whilst some economists have warned that a higher minimum wage could lower labour productivity and increase unemployment, trade unions have welcomed the rise, arguing that it would force employers to utilise their workforce more efficiently.
Czech officials reject Prague link to Mombasa missile attack
The Czech police have rejected claims by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper that there is a link between the missiles fired at an Israeli airliner in Mombasa last week and missiles found last year near Prague Airport. The Daily Telegraph quoted an Israeli intelligence source as saying that the serial numbers on the two shoulder-held Strela missiles used in Mombasa were similar to those found near the runway at Prague Airport in October 2001. However, Czech army and police officials say that the terrorists in Kenya used Sam-7 missiles that are made in China whilst those found in Prague were Czech made RPG-75 missiles. The Daily Telegraph suggested a connection between the case in Prague and that in Kenya when it claimed that Czech officials were convinced the missiles found near the runway were part of a failed attempt to bring down an aircraft carrying the then Israeli foreign minister, Shimon Peres.
Fire at chemical plant leaves police with liver damage
Several Czech police officers suffered minor liver damage from working at the scene of a fire at a chemical plant in North Bohemia last month. Out of the sixty officers who were called to the plant, which manufactures synthetic resins, dyes, and cosmetics, it is yet unclear how many were affected. Ongoing tests, however, show that both those officers who fought the fire and those who investigated it at the scene were at a health risk. The officers who tested positive are now being treated with medication and doctors have urged the fire fighters who were also at the plant to have their livers tested.
Farmers to protest in Prague on Wednesday
Czech farmers are planning to stage another demonstration in Prague in protest at conditions set by the European Union for farmers from candidate countries. Speaking to journalists on Monday, the head of the Czech Agricultural Chamber, Vaclav Hlavacek, said that between 5,000 to 10,000 farmers are expected to flock to the Czech capital to gather in front of the Agriculture Ministry and head for the seat of the European Commission's delegation. According to Mr Hlavacek, talks on the "agriculture" chapter with the EU are unsatisfactory as farmers need a full volume of direct payments in order to be able to compete on the EU market. EU officials, on the other hand, stress that farmers of the candidate countries, including the Czech Republic, would not be worse off after EU membership than they were before.
Weather
Monday night is expected to have partially cloudy skies with temperatures between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. Tuesday is forecast with overcast skies, occasional showers, and temperatures ranging between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius.
