With support from the European Union

NATIONAL WORKSHOP

Czech Republic

CONCLUSIONS

22nd of July, 2010, Prague

With support from the European Union

Table of contents

1. Background information about the workshop ........................................................ 2

1.1 Aim & Objectives .............................................................................................. 3

1.2 Content & participants ..................................................................................... 3

2. Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 4

3. Annexes .................................................................................................................... 5

The sole responsibility for the content of this document is with the authors. The

information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion

of the European Commission.

With support from the European Union

1. Background information about the workshop

1.1 Aim & Objectives

Aim

To stimulate debate successful and efficient national policies and practices on

different levels (national, regional, local) in the area of increasing labour supply with

a focus on active aging and promoting flexicurity

Objectives:

• To asses national policy framework in relation to assuring short and long term targets

of ESS and renewed Lisbon Strategy

• To recognise gaps and strengths with special emphasis on increasing labour supply in

the context of active ageing and promoting flexicurity in partners country,

• To recognise relevant practices in partner country for transnational mutual learning

1.2 Content & participants

The national workshop was held in Prague City Hall and was originally divided in two parts.

For the morning section two external speakers were invited to introduce concepts of

flexicurity and active ageing as these policies will be implemented in the Czech Republic in

near future. Mr. Jan Holec, who represented Faculty of Law at Charles University

(Department of employment contracts) gave a speech about current situation and legal

obstacles concerning implementation of flexicurity measures. The second speaker, Ms.

Veronika Koudelová from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs had a presentation about

Active ageing and current situation in the Czech Republic.

Both institutions are regarded highly professional and are considered to be leading

institutions in proposing, evaluating and commenting legislative agenda which is related to

active ageing and flexicurity.

Among other participants were: representatives of the City of Prague, university

lecturers, students, executive directors of retirement homes and social NGOs, which provide

social services and general public.

With support from the European Union

2. Conclusions

Identified gaps - Flexicurity

o Problem of the termination of the employment after the probation period,

o Problems with unemployment benefits:

1. They should be more addressed,

2. Better control of misusing them is necessary,

3. Problem of motivation,

4. Unemployed often very satisfied with unemployment benefits and do

not want to work neither look for jobs,

5. Legislative obstacles,

6. Not lowering protection of workers, but modification,

7. Payment of unemployment benefits would be conditioned by activity

of the unemployed.

Identified gaps – Active ageing

o The national strategy for Active ageing is generally weak and misleading,

o Older people often feel lonely, lost in modern technology world

Identified gaps in implementation of flexicurity

o Benevolent control from the Ministry of Labour and Social affairs of

unemployed people,

o Lack of legislative proposals related to flexicurity measures.

What we would like to learn from others?

o Examples of motivation programmes for older generation and retired,

o Publicity measures aimed at people over the age 50,

o Innovative legal proposals related to flexicurity measures, which could be

tested in the Czech Republic,

o Sustainability of ESF projects,

o Effective system of life-long learning initiatives and support programmes.

What others can learn from us(our good practices)?

o Establishment of so-called “pensioner-clubs” for older generation and retired

people,

o Well-being of seniors – playgrounds for exercises,

o Cultural events – “Day of Health”, “Miss Pensioner”,

o NGOs active in providing services to pensioners and older generation – “Life

90”, “Senior service”.

With support from the European Union

Identify the most important challenge

o The most important challenge is to identify and implemented truly functional and

modern reforms, which would both reduce unemployment and introduce new model

of pension system (contributions, private funds, etc.)

3. Annexes

3.1 Annex 1: programme of the national workshop

3.2 Annex 2: list of participants (copy)

3.3 Annex 3: State of the art report