State to help laid-off glassmakers

The government has earmarked several million crowns to help the thousands of glassmakers who have found themselves out of work after their companies were forced out of business. Bohemia Crystalex Trading, the country’s largest glass producer, said on Tuesday it was forced to close down two big glassworks in Svetlá and Poděbrady, which together employ 1,800 people. The aid money is to be used for re-qualification and in support of new job opportunities.