Rakušan: Amendment increasing recruitment allowance for soldiers creates competitive advantage

The amendment increasing recruitment allowance and other benefits for soldiers creates a competitive advantage when recruiting into the army, Czech Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan told senators on Wednesday at a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security.

The amendment to the Act on Professional Soldiers will enter into force on July 1st, and according to the government, its aim is to support the replenishment of the army and the retention of current personnel. The amendment increases the recruitment allowance up to four times the current maximum of 250,000 crowns. Other benefits include a stabilisation allowance, a housing allowance and a supplement for service abroad. The additional costs for the state budget were estimated by the Ministry of Defence at 375 million crowns per year.