Czech unions refuse to discuss health care reform bills with govt

Prague, Nov 20 (CTK) - Representatives of the unions and employers Thursday walked out from the tripartite meeting where they were to debate the health care reform bills of Health Minister Tomas Julinek (Civic Democrats, ODS), CMKOS umbrella trade union organisation head Milan Stech has told reporters.

The unions say the centre-right government of the ODS, the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and the Greens (SZ) violated the tripartite standard procedure as it approved three reform bills, on health care services,on specific services and on emergency service, on Wednesday before discussing them with the unions and employers.

The fourth bill on public health insurance may be approved on Monday.

Stech said the unions adopted a statement demanding that the government annul its resolution on the health care reform bills.

The trade unions would like to submit their serious objections to the reforms to the cabinet before the bills are approved. Then they will try to persuade deputies about their arguments, Health Care Workers' Union head Jiri Schlanger said.

Thursday's tripartite meeting was convoked at the unions' request.

Julinek told reporters Thursday that health care experts of the government parties would meet again on Sunday to find consensus on a controversial article in the bill on public health insurance.

If they agreed on the wording the cabinet might approve it on Monday, Julinek added.

Even though the government agreed on Julinek's reform steps, support for them in parliament is uncertain.

Senior opposition Social Democrat (CSSD) shadow health minister David Rath said the health care reform bills are unacceptable for the Social Democrats.

Some government deputies have also criticised Julinek's reforms. One of the major critics is KDU-CSL MP Ludvik Hovorka.