MPSV must submit the law on social housing

The law on social housing should be proposed in 2017 by Minister of Labor Michaela Marksová (ČSSD). She also wants to advocate for a model of substantial pension valuation. Before the autumn elections, she will prepare a proposal to increase the minimum wage for the following year. She will also be promoting paternity leave and shorter parental leave with a higher benefit.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (ČSSD) recently summarized ten main tasks for the government before the elections. Half of them fall to the Ministry of Labor and its head, or involve their participation. The government leader mentioned the law on social housing, the regulation on advance maintenance, increasing sick pay for long-term sick individuals, a proposal for raising the minimum wage from January 2018, and also a proposal for increasing salaries in the public sector.

The law on social housing was originally planned to take effect from January 2017. However, preparations have been delayed, and there is no agreement on the form of the regulation even within the coalition. Representatives of organizations aiding people in distress, some cities, academics, and certain politicians are concerned that the complex law may not be passed before the elections. There are also fears that the Ministry of Labor will ultimately present a scaled-down regulation to ensure it can be discussed and enforced in time.

According to the Ministry's plans, nursing homes should start to emerge in the Czech Republic from June, providing both social and health services. A comprehensive amendment to social services is expected to come into effect from September. The Ministry of Labor also proposes a reduction in social contributions for parents with multiple children, an increase in sick pay for long-term sick individuals, and the introduction of nursing leave for those caring for helpless family members. However, some of the amendments are not yet finished, and those that are completed have not yet been discussed by the cabinet. It is thus unclear whether the plans will be implemented before the elections.