News

Spotlight issue

4th November 2021 / Good governance / Legal Reform and Transparency


Proposal for a new minimum wage for 2022

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs proposes an increase in the minimum wage with effect from 1 January 2022 by CZK 2,800. The new basic monthly minimum wage rate in 2022 would thus increase from the current CZK 15,200 to CZK 18,000, which corresponds to an increase in the basic hourly minimum wage rate from CZK 90.50 to CZK 107.10.

4th November 2021 / Competitiveness / Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism


2021 Winter Flight Schedule: Direct Connections from Prague to Almost 100 Destinations & Increased Frequencies on Existing Routes

Effective Sunday, 31 October 2021, the winter flight schedule comes in effect, offering direct connections from Václav Havel Airport Prague to 92 destinations, including exotic countries such as Kenya, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. There will also be new routes operated under the winter flight schedule, for example, to Tel Aviv, Naples, Odessa, Kyiv, Dubai and Amsterdam. The launch of Eurowings' base operations will also help facilitate the resumption and further development of air traffic.

4th November 2021 / Good governance / Legal Reform and Transparency


Paternity leave in the Czech Republic has just been doubled

As of 1 January 2022, paid paternity leave will be extended from previously 7 days to newly 14 days.

4th November 2021 / Good governance / Energy and Environment


Stricter regulations and an increasing number of environmental litigations are contributing to a faster greening of the economy

Economy greening is one of the current society-wide issues, the importance of which has been growing rapidly in recent months and years. Changes are also coming in the area of legislation, with new regulations in a wide range of fields, from energy to agriculture and forestry to sustainable financing. Along with this, environmental litigation is on the rise, becoming another accelerator of change. Read on to find out what has happened in environmental law in recent months and what is ahead.

4th November 2021 / Economic policy / Macroeconomic Indicators, Economic Growth


Inflation accelerates; CNB will raise interest rates again

At its November meeting, the CNB will continue to raise interest rates. We expect them to increase by 50bp, but the risk is higher growth. The tightening of monetary policy is justified by the development of inflation, which we expect to get closer to 6% in October. Industrial production and retail sales should show minor growth in September.

Strategic Directions for Czech Economic Policy

  1. Transition to High-Tech Manufacturing and Exports
  2. The City Campus as Idea Factory
  3. Government Programs and Processes That Drive Innovation
  4. Government as a Competitive Advantage, including Digitization

Advocacy Priorities for 2023 
 
Technology, People, Infrastructure

 

Actions Recommended in Areas:

1. Establishing Policy Objectives for Research.

2. Research Investment and Cooperation. Big Bets (Key Technology Projects).

3. Establishing Databases for Tracking Public Policy Outcomes.

4. Public Procurement as an Innovation Tool.

5. Immigration of STEM Talents.

6. Digitization of Immigration. 

7. Adult Reskilling and Upskilling.

8. Digitization of Land Use.

9. Infrastructure Development, including Technology Parks.

 

 

Read the documents in English and Czech.

Policy pipeline

In Policy Pipeline policy developments in the Czech Republic and abroad are monitored to bring better understanding of current topics and trends.

Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic