Trade unions and employers continue to disagree after yesterday’s tripartite meeting on the demanding professions that should retire early. Employers say the early pension without a reduction in the amount should be introduced in two phases, first for workers in the so-called fourth category and later, after further calculations, for part of the third category. The trade unions are opposed, advocating earlier pensions for the whole of both the fourth and third categories. According to Labour Minister Marian Jurecka (KDU-ČSL), the proposal under preparation is in the middle. He told reporters after the tripartite meeting. He plans to present the plan in detail this week.
“The government’s position is in the middle between unions and employers,” Jurečka said. He wants to add the proposal to the pension amendment with pension reform changes, but he does not want to delay it. However, the minister said the discussion on the setting will continue during the next discussion.
The list of professions with the possibility of early retirement is to be based on the current four categories of work. Due to the exceeding of limits of noise, dust and other risk factors, protective equipment is needed in the third and fourth categories, and in the fourth category there is a high risk of health hazards even when using them. The consensus is that early retirement should be possible for all workers in the fourth category, i.e. about 18,000 people. The unions are also calling for it for 450,000 workers in category three.
According to Josef Středula, chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, the proposal provides for early retirement in the third category only for people who face five of 13 risks at work. Physical stress, vibration, working position, heat and cold would play a role. On the other hand, chemicals, dust, noise, non-ionising radiation, psychological stress, pressure, eye strain and biological factors would not be taken into account. Středula said that early retirement would not be possible, for example, for health care workers.
According to Jan Rafaj, president of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, the effects on the labour market and individual industries of possible early retirement for third-category workers are not yet clear. Employers are asking for further analysis. They propose to introduce early retirement in two phases. It would be first for the fourth category, then later for more precisely defined third category workers.
Employers should pay higher contributions for workers with a possible early pension. They also point to a possible shortfall in the workforce after retirement.
Source: CTK
