Planned changes to labour law irk unions

Earlier union leaders made specific objections to planned amendments to Czech labour law. The Ministry of Labour wants to introduce a series of changes, including giving employers a five-year period in which they do not have to give workers a long-term contract, compared to two years at present. Labour Minister Jaromír Drábek also says people who voluntarily quit their jobs should not be eligible for unemployment benefit. Mr Zavadil told reporters he had expressed opposition to the proposed changes in talks with the minister on Thursday.