Czech Labour Minister Petr Necas (Civic Democrats, ODS) told CTK that he was against the idea. "I can see no reason for the EU to interfere into the welfare systems of its individual member states," Necas said. He pointed out the increased maternity benefits this would mean extra costs of billion of crowns from the state budget. "This would certainly cost more money.
But one cannot face demographic ageing without paying anything," said Spidla, who is in charge of employment, Police initiate charges against Czech-Afghan chamber head ...
EU needs Czechs on its path to better future - EP president ... social affairs and equal opportunities in the European Commission. He said he did not expect the extra costs to radically influence state budgets. Spidla admitted this was only an idea that would take a long and probably hard way to be implemented. The EC is likely to vote on the proposal in early October. If approved, the proposal would be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. The maximum monthly benefit during maternity leave is nearly 15,000 crowns the Czech Republic, the monthly gross average salary being over 23,000 crowns. The maternity leave lasts 28 weeks in the Czech Republic and also in Slovakia, but in other EU countries, such as Germany, Belgium and Spain, it is shorter than the minimal 18 weeks proposed by Spidla. On the other hand, for example, German women get up to 100 percent of their previous salary when on maternity leave, which is what Spidla demands. (USD1=17.120 Czech crowns)
(Ceske Noviny)
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