Langer backs Czech town hall's measures against fee-defaulters

Interior Minister Ivan Langer Sunday backed the system of distraints the Town Hall of Chomutov, north Bohemia, recently introduced as a measure against unadaptable residents and fee-defaulters, which other Czech officials have sharply condemned.

Last week the Chomutov hall started to seize, through a distrainer, money the fee-, fine- and rent-defaulters received in welfare allowances.

Chomutov Mayor Ivana Rapkova said Langer (Civic Democrats, ODS) is the first member of the cabinet to support Chomutov’s step.

"I consider the project correct in general, and the mayor enjoys my full support in this respect," Langer said in a discussion on TV Prima.

He said the society cannot turn a blind eye to some people "sponging on the system."

The other citizens should not pay for those who refuse to go to work and prefer drawing welfare allowances, Langer continued.

"I’m for this tough approach to be taken to them," he said, referring to Chomutov.

Rapkova welcomed Langer’s support. She said that only few government officials have commented on the town’s step so far. Of those commenting, a majority has sharply condemned it, Rapkova said.

Michael Kocab, minister for human rights and minorities [for the Green Party] recently said the seizure of debtors’ money by the Chomutov hall immediately after they receive the allowances is unlawful.

Ombudsman Otakar Motejl has voiced a similarly negative stand.

Justice Minister Jiri Pospisil (ODS) said he will send inspectors to Chomutov to check the distrainer’s involvement.

Rapkova said the town hall will continue having the allowances taken from the debtors as no other measures are effective in face of local fee-defaulters.

She said the distrainer can only seize the allowances the debtors receive from the municipality. Besides, they receive a larger portion of allowances from the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry, which they can keep.

Speaking on TV Prima, Rapkova resolutely rejected accusations of racism. She admitted that the distraints involve Romany inhabitants at 80 percent, but dismissed any racial motives behind them.

Chomutov registers about 4,000 debtors from among fee-defaulters. It has applied distraints on a few dozens of them so far.

Apart from their welfare allowances being seized, the debtors also have to leave their flats and move to dormitories.