CZECH REPUBLIC: Up to 1,500 Czech union workers march in Prague in a protest against fiscal reforms

Record ID: 339868

  • Title: CZECH REPUBLIC: Up to 1,500 Czech union workers march in Prague in a protest against fiscal reforms
  • Date: 17th June 2011
  • Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (JUNE 16, 2011) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS MARCHING TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE VARIOUS PROTESTERS MARCHING VARIOUS OF ANTI-PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF MINISTRY WITH PLACARDS SAYING 'GO TO WORK' TWO MEN ARGUING (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER, SAYING: "A saleswoman in a grocery store earns 8.000 crowns (343 euros)" MEDIA AT MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE)
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Czech Republic, Czech Republic
  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9B6TCXMIDSV5L9MRU9LST4J3A
  • Story Text: Czech transport unions shut down the Prague underground for the first time in its history and halted the railway system on Thursday (June 16) in the widest strike so far in protest against the centre-right's fiscal reforms.
    The unions, which launched the one-day strike, also called for the government's resignation over its plans to raise the retirement age, hike taxes and limit welfare benefits.
    The strike was a rare form of protest in the central European state of 10.5 million, which has public debt levels at half the European Union average and whose economic recovery is starting to gain traction.
    But it comes at a tough time for the year-old three-party coalition government, which is struggling to hold together after a series of corruption scandals and sinking popularity in polls.
    Police estimated 1,500 union workers marched through the capital, stopping before the government seat and the finance ministry, where some threw tomatoes at Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek as he came out the building.
    But Kalousek stood his ground and argued back at the protesters.
    "Madame, today I have been working since 6:30; and what are you doing today?" he said to one protester.
    Organisers and protesters said they were very concerned about the reforms.
    "I am very concerned about the big threat it might be to the constitution," said Jaromir Dusek, the head of the Craft Union.
    "I am from Prague and I came to support this action, because I don't like the policy of this government," said protester Olga.
    "We disagree on the rents and on all the reforms and we would like to have a direct election of president," added another protester, Rudolf.
    In Prague, entrances were shut along the Metro's three train lines that carry 1.6 million people a day. By midday, only a third of city trams were operating and bus services were limited. Several events were cancelled in the city, including a celebration planned for President Vaclav Klaus's 70th birthday.
    Public transport in other major cities was also limited. Trains of the state railway companies, which carry nearly half a million travellers a day and hauled 77 million tonnes of freight last year, sat idle. The last big strike halted the railway for several days in 1997.
    The government has just sent health reform bills to the parliament that will increase costs for patients, and lower house lawmakers have passed a rise in the retirement age.
    It plans to submit in the fall the framework of a pension overhaul allowing people to divert some of the tax they pay toward private pension accounts in the so-called second pillar.
    A tax rise to help pay the chance is now before lawmakers. With 115 seats in the 200-member lower house, the government can pass bills and override vetoes without opposition.
    The reforms have mostly won approval from the investment community but unions say the workers will be forced to pay.
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