Despite assurances from the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mariana Jurečka, the creation of a list of demanding professions eligible for early pensions without reductions faces delays. The list, initially promised by Jurečka to be submitted at the turn of the year, is still in progress, and its submission appears to be pushed back by several months.

Final negotiations are currently underway between the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV) and the Ministry of Health, which is working on the list of risk factors defining the scope of demanding professions. Jakub Augusta, a spokesperson for MPSV, stated that the ongoing negotiations are contributing to the delay in the list’s submission.

Tomáš Dvořák, a spokesperson for the Confederation of Industry and Transport, suggests that the proposal might be submitted by mid-year. However, the Chamber of Commerce emphasizes the complexity of precisely defining demanding professions, emphasizing that certain data need definition for appropriate collection by the state administration. Miroslav Diro, a spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce, expressed the belief that if the list is comprehensive, the proposal might not be submitted before a year, or possibly even longer.

The issue of early pensions for demanding professions has been under discussion for three decades and is integral to the ongoing pension reform. The reform has significantly impacted the eligibility for early pensions, potentially pushing the retirement age beyond the initial 65-year boundary set for most people by 2035.

Notably, certain demanding professions, such as miners, rescuers, and company firefighters, already have exceptions. These individuals benefit from higher insurance paid by employers and can retire several years earlier without facing reductions in their pensions. The current delay in finalizing the list raises questions about which professions will be covered and the specific risk factors that will be considered in determining eligibility for early pensions in demanding occupations.

Article by Prague Forum