Czech Deputy Prime minister Cunek to draw up Romany concept

Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister Jiri Cunek (leader of the Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) wants to submit his own concept of a solution to the Romany issue, Cunek wrote in a press release passed to CTK today.

When Jiri Cunek was the mayor of Vsetin, North Moravia, the town hall evicted the Romanies from a dilapidated tenant house in the town centre last October.

Most of the families were moved to "container-type" house at the town edges and the rest went to the Jesenice region where they were given some ramshackle houses. Romanies are to repay them for 20 years.

For this, Cunek came under fierce criticism by Romany and human rights activists.

Cunek wrote in the report that a team consisting of civil servants and Romany issue experts had started working on the concept.

The concept is to settle not only the sphere of housing and zoning, which is within the agenda of Cunek’s Local Development Ministry, but also the sphere of education and welfare benefits.

Cunek wants to follow up the changes in the welfare system now being prepared by Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Necas (the Civic Democratic Party, ODS) who wants to link the welfare payment with the recipient’s active effort.

Cunek is of the view that welfare benefits should only be drawn if some duties are fulfilled. Claim to welfare benefits is to be raised by those who will make not only some public works, but will also send their children to pre-school facilities and will educate themselves.

The thorough fulfilment of these duties must be linked with the housing policy, Cunek said.

"Specific forms of help is yet to be set down," Cunek said.

Cunek said that his concept was based on the needs of the towns and villages dealing with the Romany issue.