The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL), has set a goal to enable people to apply for all social benefits online without the need to physically visit labor offices by the end of the year. The labor offices have long been criticized for their slow processing and disbursement of applications. Jurečka also aims to improve the remuneration system and shift half of the applications online within the next two years.

Currently, there are approximately 9,700 pending applications for housing benefits within the ministry, which have exceeded the legally mandated processing period of 30 days. However, recent efforts have led to significant progress in reducing processing times. For instance, the processing time for housing benefit applications in Prague has been reduced from over 100 days in the second half of 2022 to approximately one month.

Jurečka expressed his intention to digitize the operations of labor offices and handle at least half of the benefits applications online during a recent interview on ČT (Czech Television).

During a subsequent press conference, Jurečka and Karel Trpkoš, the acting CEO of the Czech Labor Office, discussed plans to motivate employees and improve working conditions through better financial compensation. The aim is to create a more favorable environment for labor office staff and provide higher wages for those who perform well. This initiative currently covers around 3,500 employees, with the goal of expanding it annually to ensure recognition for their work. The long-term objective is to stabilize and make employment in labor offices more attractive.

Trpkoš highlighted that performance-based and motivational rewards have already been implemented, resulting in more effective collaboration and assistance between individual branches. “These principles have led to improved office performance, with the entire country providing assistance to Prague in many cases. As a result, the number of days needed to process applications has significantly decreased,” added Trpkoš.

The digitization of social benefit applications and efforts to enhance working conditions and remuneration are expected to streamline processes, reduce waiting times, and ultimately improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of labor offices in serving the public.