Unions pushing for wage hikes in public sector

Government representatives and union leaders are once again debating a rise in the wages of public sector employees. In view of the soaring inflation, which is now at 17.2 percent, unions are demanding a raise from August or September at the latest. They are demanding a ten percent hike for people on frozen salaries and a fixed amount of 700 to 1,000 crowns for teachers and health workers. They moreover want to negotiate a further increase for all from January. Labour Minister Marian Jurečka said ahead of the talks that the government is counting on a ten percent increase in frozen salaries from September and a ten percent increase for the security forces from January. He wants to reach an agreement with trade unions on other salary increases next year.