Today, unemployment benefits and job-seekingassistance are provided by employment offices. Social benefits, such as poverty allowances, parental allowances or payments to those taking care of the disabled or elderly, are administered by the regions and municipalities. Almost CZK 90 billion (€3.3 billion) pass through the fragmented system annually. The unified system, which is set to be in place by January 2009, should rationalise this flow and make significant savings. The system should consist of the National Office for Employment and Social Administration and the District Directorates for Employment and Social Administration. These offices should take over the range of duties of the employment offices and the activities of the regional and municipal authorities. The backbone of the system will be the 77 employment offices, which will become District Directorates for Employment and Social Administration. They will be directed by the National Office with its probable site in Prague and by Regional Field Offices. The goal of the plan is to concentrate all basic social security systems like unemployment benefits and requalification, state social benefits, poverty allowances, parental allowances and social and legal protection of children under one roof. The fusion does not apply to sickness benefits or the administration of pension and sickness insurance, which will remain in the hands of the Czech Social Security Administration. The National Office will be subordinate to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
ne roof. The fusion does not apply to sickness benefits or the administration of pension and sickness insurance, which will remain in the hands of the Czech Social Security Administration. The National Office will be subordinate to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
e-europnews, October 4, 2007, n° 070817 – www.eeuropnews.com
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