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The Czech Confederation of Industry asked Prime Minister Petr Nečas on Thursday to reconsider planned changes to the Czech labour code. Speaking after a tripartite meeting between the government, trade unions and employers, the confederation’s head, Jaroslav Míl, said that instead of two amendments to the code the government has prepared, it would be better to introduce one major makeover to make the Czech labour market more flexible. For his part, the head of the Czech trade unions’ association, Jaroslav Zavadil, said no changes were necessary; should the government pursue the planned changes, Czech employees would be worst off in the whole of the EU. Prime Minister Petr Nečas said the government would hold further negotiation about the planned changes with all concerned parties.

The Czech Republic’s main grouping of trades unions has slammed proposed changes in the labour law set out by the government. In an official response to the proposals, the Czech and Moravian Confederation of Trades Unions said the changes would result in Czech employees having the worst working conditions in Europe. The confederation said there was no need for the changes with the Czech labour market already more flexible than most in the 27-strong European Union but job security weaker than average. Changes proposed by the government include lengthening the duration of fixed term contracts to five years from two, doubling the maximum period for specific goal related contracts and making lay-offs easier. The confederation also complained that it was not properly consulted about the changes.

Speaking on the same television show, Prime Minister Nečas confirmed that Ivan Hodač was a candidate for the newly created post of state secretary for European Union affairs. Mr Hodač has been the head of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association for nearly a decade. The prime minister said there were two other serious aspirants for the post, with the chosen candidate due to be announced in a few weeks’ time. The filling of the post, which would succeed the deputy PM for EU affairs of previous governments, has ruffled some feathers in the governing coalition. The foreign minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, told the newspaper Lidové noviny that if Mr Nečas’s party the Civic Democrats wanted a car lobbyist, it was their issue.

The head of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Ivan Hodač, is a hot candidate for the newly-established post of state secretary for EU affairs, the daily Lidové Noviny wrote in its Friday edition. Although the prime minister has not officially confirmed the choice, the paper says the Civic Democrat’s coalition partners, TOP O9 and Public Affairs, were consulted about his candidacy. The state secretary for EU affairs is to be answerable directly to the prime minister and the post will be filled by a Civic Democrat appointee.

Mr Hodač, who is 64, emigrated to Denmark after the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. He graduated from Copenhagen University, majoring in economics and political sciences. He speaks seven foreign languages.

In Business News this week: end of the road for many Czech truckers; Tatra pins hopes on facelifts; Prague pushes for changes in EU deficit rules; Finance Ministry retreats from tax perk attack; and a Czech cheese provokes French farmers.

Former defense minister Martin Barták has been appointed deputy finance minister. He will replace Jan Málek, a member of the Christian Democrats party, which did not get any seats in the lower house in May’s general elections. Mr Málek was let go by Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek last week; Mr Barták is due to start on Monday. Among other responsibilities, he will be in charge of auditing of EU funds. He was originally meant to be appointed to the office of deputy interior minister, but did not receive the post due to austerity measures in the interior ministry.

The government wants to set up the post of state secretary for European affairs, to make up for a scrapped ministerial post with the same portfolio, the daily Pravo writes in its Saturday edition. The state secretary would be answerable directly to the prime minister. The paper says that according to well-informed sources the position should go to a member of the Civic Democrats. The plan has reportedly evoked criticism for the Civic Democrat’s coalition partners – TOP 09 and Public Affairs who claim that the prime minister’s party is trying to strengthen its position in cabinet at their expense.

In anticipation of next year’s cost cutting measures, some ministries have started offering their employees part-time jobs. All ministries will have to implement a 10 percent cut in expenditures, including salaries, which means either laying off staff or introducing a job-sharing scheme where possible. Until now, Czech employers have been generally unwilling to hire people on a part time basis, despite interest from mothers on maternity leave. Consequently only 5.5 percent of Czechs currently work on a part time basis, as compared to an EU average of 18.7percent.

At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said the time was not yet ripe for the EU to reassess its policy towards Cuba in connection with the recent release of political prisoners. Mr. Schwarzenberg said that although the move was a sign of progress, Cuba was still far from functioning as a democracy. Drawing a parallel to communist Czechoslovakia, the Czech foreign minister said Cuba had moved from the hardline 1950s to the 1970s in its development. He pointed out that in the 1970s the Czechoslovak communist regime also had an interest in expelling dissidents from the country and preventing them from returning. The EU has conditioned any dialogue with Havana on an observance of human rights and some member states, such as Spain, have suggested it may be time to revise its tough line.

The Czech Republic on Monday also supported an EU move to level tougher sanctions against Iran in a dispute over its nuclear programme. They include a block on oil and gas investment.

Czech beekeepers are to receive a total of 3.85 million Euro or about 97 million Czech crowns in funds from the European Union between 2011 and 2013. These funds could double if the Czech government decides to match them. The decision to support Czech beekeepers fell in Brussels last week. The Czech Ministry of Agriculture announced the news on Monday.

Scientific studies have revealed that the number of bees worldwide over the past years has been rapidly declining, in some EU countries by as much as 50 percent. According to the European Parliament, about three-quarters of all food produced in the EU depend on bee pollination.