Electronic records of sales, EET cash register – illustrative photo.
Prague – The Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) proposes, in order to restore state finances, to cancel the increase in the flat rate for self-employed workers, the meal stamp flat rate, to introduce changes to the gift tax or to reduce levies for shorter working hours. According to trade unionists, the EET (electronic record of sales) should also be restarted. Thanks to a total of 12 measures, the state could save 151.5 to 163.5 billion crowns, they said. The proposals were presented at the press conference by representatives of the confederation and trade union economists. The management of the central office criticizes the government for giving only a few days to send comments on dozens of amendments in the consolidation package.
Advertisement'; }
“Our goal was to create an alternative. This is an alternative to the government's agenda. They say there is no other solution and people have to accept what the government has served them. This is not true. It depends on what major direction one holds,” said the economist ČMKOS Martin Fassmann.
According to ČMKOS foreman Josef Středula, two thirds of public budget revenues come from employees and pensioners. He mentioned value added tax, consumption tax, levies or income taxes. He described employees and pensioners as “tax sums”. “On the one hand, the financially stronger, the entrepreneurs, are being forgiven, the burden is being shifted to the side of the employees,” said the trade unionist.
ČMKOS proposes to start EET again, even with the planned third stage. According to the leaders, it could bring in 20 to 25 billion crowns. The state would get another five billion after canceling the deduction for contributions for shorter working hours. The state would receive a total of 20 billion after adjusting the flat rates. Suspension of accelerated depreciation would mean six to seven billion crowns. 30 billion would flow in after the cancellation of the loss carryback, after the cancellation of the tax exemption for government bonds, 2 billion and after the cancellation of the meal plan, up to 20 billion crowns. After the introduction of real estate transfer, inheritance and gift tax with a lower limit, 25 to 30 billion crowns could be obtained. The central office calculated the procedure against the abuse of transfer prices at ten billion crowns. After raising the minimum wage to 19,500 crowns, the state would gain two billion crowns. 7.5 billion crowns could come from higher self-employed levies. Altogether, according to the trade unions, it is 151.5 to 163.5 billion crowns.
ČMKOS is the largest trade union headquarters in the country. It covers 31 unions with about 270,000 members. Unions are threatening a general strike over the package. In mid-May, they announced a strike alert. The Cabinet called for negotiations. Trade unionists from all over the country should decide on the next course of action in Prague on May 30.
Trade unions criticize the government not only for measures. They complain that the cabinet did not discuss the measures with them and only gave them a few days to send comments on dozens of amendments from the package. There is time for them until May 29. Leaders point out that the law and documents have hundreds of pages.
