Czech strike
December 8, 2010
Thousands of public sector workers are set to strike in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, over government plans to cut wages.
At least 500 schools will remain closed, while many hospital will close, a spokeswoman for the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions said.
Some 100,000 civil servants are expected to go on strike, as well as around 40,000 people taking to the streets in Czech towns and cities.
The center-right government of Prime Minister Petr Necas plans to cut public sector wage expenditure by 10 percent next year, as part of plans to cut the budget deficit.
The cabinet is aiming for a deficit of 4.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011, and then 3 percent by 2013.
The government is already unpopular with labor unions after pushing through other changes in public sector wages which give more flexibility to employers.
Author: Catherine Bolsover (dpa/AFP)
Editor: Rob Turner