Unions ask government for clear word on future of tripartite

In related developments, Czech trade unions threatened on Friday to withdraw from the tripartite that comprises the government, employers' and employee representatives unless the government states clearly how it should function in the future. The statement was released by the Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation (ČMKOS). The umbrella organisation as well as the Association of Independent Unions were reacting to Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek's behaviour at the tripartite session on Friday. The tripartite was first established in the 1990s, following the fall of the Communist regime with the aim of maintaining social peace in the country during the “transformation period”.