EU Commissioner László Andor: Czech Govt must not ignore jobs, preschools, Roma

The Czech Government should not ignore the issues of the position of the Romani minority, preschool education, and  youth unemployment. EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor made those remarks to the Czech News Agency and Czech Radio during his visit to Prague last Friday.

None of the three topics is a surprise, as the European Commission has long stressed them in relation to the Czech Republic. They were mentioned last May in materials that are regularly published by the Commission to recommend certain reforms and policy adjustments to the Member States.

"We have not seen much change," Andor noted. He believes this is attributable, to a certain extent, to the tempestuous political developments in the Czech Republic last year, which influenced the state administration. 

"We are now hoping for a certain degree of stability and administrative competence so it will be possible to concentrate on these topics," the Commissioner said. Andor reminded the press that the Commission would be glad to see the Czech Republic undertake a more active employment policy to help those in need of jobs to find them quickly.

Andor believes that such a change will require not just functional Labor Offices, but also good cooperation between Prague and the regions. "There is a new government, and for the Commission it is important that it establish good working relationships," Andor said. 

Preparations are currently coming to a head for the next seven-year financial cycle, and it is also time to address new programs through the European Social Fund. "It is no secret that during this most recent period there were certain problems with the drawing of EU monies throughout the EU," Andor pointed out.

EU money could be helping right now in the Czech Republic with support programs for youth seeking jobs. The EU’s program of guarantees for youth is currently primarily in place in countries such as Greece and Spain.

Andor believes that it should run in the Czech Republic as well, where the declining competitiveness of the Czech economy is intersecting with young people who are insufficiently prepared to compete for their first jobs. The Commissioner also stressed the consequences of including the Romani minority into society. 

Andor said that to be fair, Czech society is relatively cohesive, with a very low degree of general inequality. However, as long as Romani people only have access to inferior education, it will be hard for them to get work, and the risk of their segregation will intensify.

"It will be even harder to bridge a deeper and wider gulf," Andor noted. The Commission is also emphasizing the potential of the EU funds for establishing preschool facilities and expanding their services. 

Andor said accessible preschools facilitate women’s access to the labor market. When they are high-quality, they also become a good basis for children’s further education.