Weekly review 55
08.11.2024
Parliament passes pension reform
The Czech Chamber of Deputies has passed the pension reform with the majority of the governing parties. The Czech parliament has thus achieved something that the current Bundestag may not be able to do after the end of the traffic light coalition.
However, the Czech Republic has some catching up to do compared to Germany. The most important point of the reform is the gradual increase in the retirement age to 67. However, following a change, the increase will now take place more slowly: one month later each year. Previously it was to be two months per year. The first birth cohort to retire at the age of 67 will be 1988. Previously, the retirement age was 65.
Another change is the gradual reduction in the income used to calculate the pension. Gradually, less of the salary will be included in the pension calculation. Both measures are intended to keep the pension system affordable.
People who work in high-risk and physically demanding jobs should still be able to retire at the age of 65. However, MEPs have once again significantly restricted this group of people. The professions practiced are divided into four groups according to their occupational risk. Previously, employees in the two riskiest groups could continue to retire at 65, but now only those in the riskiest group can do so. This is a maximum of 15,000 people instead of the previously planned 120,000.
The opposition tabled several amendments, but all were rejected. The opposition speakers then announced that they would roll back the law as soon as they were in power. The law must now be passed by the Senate.
Certificate for coffee roastery and best croissants
The Bohemian Coffee House coffee roastery in Rumburk and the U Onďase bakery in Děčín have been awarded the Bohemian Switzerland Regional Brand certificate. According to the jury, both are an example of how to be successful despite the border region's peripheral location. Both companies are also popular with German customers. The Bohemian Coffee House is not just a coffee roastery. Not far from the train station, guests can enjoy the coffee roasted on site in a tastefully furnished coffee house.
The U Onďase bakery is even located directly opposite the station building at Děčín Central Station. The Onďasův rohlík croissant has been recognized as a regional product. This is not the first award for the croissants. Customers can also buy everything else that makes up a bakery in the bakery. Incidentally, sales take place in the middle of the bakery. Customers can watch the bakers at work.
The Včelařství v Loučkách apiary in Jiříkov was the third company to be awarded the certificate. A total of 40 products have already been awarded the protected "Regional Product of Bohemian Switzerland" label.
Catching carp for the festive season
Christmas can come. The Habrovice fish pond on the outskirts of Ústí nad Labem alone caught around 7 tons of fish last weekend, mainly carp but also pike. The fishing event is the culmination of weeks of preparations, during which the water in the large breeding pond is drained.
Quite a few people bought their first fish on the spot. However, most of the fish do not end up on the Christmas table. In the Czech Republic, breaded carp is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Most of the fish from Habrovice are destined for further breeding or are released into the Elbe. The fish that are sold before Christmas go on sale from mid-December. Many are sold directly to customers from large vats in front of supermarkets. Quite a few then release the carp once again in the bathtub at home and butcher it themselves.
Shortcut for cycle tourists in Děčín
A new cycle path has been available for cyclists in Děčín for a few days now. Although the path is only 380 meters long, its contribution to safe traffic in the city on the Elbe is immense. The section runs along the right bank of the river Ploučnice behind the Kaufland supermarket and the Aquapark. It is part of the Ploučnice cycle path and is also designed for pedestrians. Cyclists now have their own path. Previously, coming from the east, they had to turn onto the relatively busy Oblouková road from the ice rink. With the new path, cyclists now almost completely avoid car traffic. After the Aquapark, the new cycle path joins Ploučnická Street. From there, turn right and cross the historic Old Town Bridge, which can only be used by cyclists and pedestrians. The cycle route then continues to the Elbe Cycle Path along car-free paths.
The new section, which was built within seven months, has significantly improved the connection between the Ploučnice Cycle Path and the Elbe Cycle Path in the Děčín city area. The costs amounted to 35 million crowns (around 1.4 million euros), a good half of which came from European Union funding. Although the final work will still be carried out in the area around the cycle path by the end of the year, it can already be used.
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