Trade Unions admit reforms are necessary, but disagree with government's draft

The two largest Czech trade union groups have announced they will hold a public rally on Saturday, September 13 in Prague in protest against the government's proposed public finance reforms. The Czech and Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions and the Association of Independent Trade Unions agree that the current state of the public finance is unsustainable and needs a thorough reform, but they find the government's draft plans unacceptable.

The reforms include tax hikes, pension, health, and social system reforms, as well as other austerity measures, including massive lay-offs in the state administration. The Unions claim that the reforms will in effect primarily hurt employees, families with young children, and pensioners. Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla admitted that minor changes were possible but he does not want make any substantial changes to the draft.