State employees’ unions come out against planned 4% pay cuts

Not everyone outside of the budget debate was entirely pleased by the result, however. State employees’ unions have come out against planned 4% pay cuts for next year. In a statement reported on by the Czech Press Agency the unions called the cuts entirely unacceptable, with teachers’ salaries for example already undervalued. On this issue the unions complained that the government was reneging on a promise to support education as one of the keys to increased competitiveness and social development. The Unions also cited a threat to security standards posed by the risk of a mass exodus among police officers and prison workers. Beyond the 4% wage cut however the unions have called Mr Janota’s budget an acceptable compromise.