Social Policy

In November 2008, Public Opinion Research Centre enquired about social policy. People were asked, how much do they think the government cares about the social situation of citizens, and how much the citizens care about it themselves. Czechs also should express their view about government spending on unemployment, housing, health care, child allowances, retirement pensions, disability benefits, schools and education.

In November 2008, Czech population was asked about some instruments of family policy. First, there was a general question to what extent the government cares about families with small children. Second, people should say, which of the family policy instruments they appreciate. In fact, all instruments were supported, but most of the people agreed with flexible working time or part-time job for parents of small children, with tax cut for these people and marriage loan.

Government expenditure on social policy in general and in partial areas is evaluated as rather low than high. The exception is unemployment benefit, where number of those who consider government expenditure as low (27 %) is comparable to number of those who suppose it to be high (27 %) or who find it adequate (33 %). According to 32 % of respondents the government takes care of social situation in appropriate way while 58 % of respondents find the government's focus on social situation of citizens too low and 4 % of respondents suppose it to be exaggerated.

Over 80 % of respondents agreed with support of flexible working time or with support of part time job for parents with little children, with marriage loan, with tax cut for people with children and with running of public nursery at every primary school. Approximately three quarters of people expressed support for child benefit rise, increase in number of kindergartens and common taxation of husband and wife.

Over 80 % of respondents agreed with support of flexible working time or with support of part time job for parents with little children, with marriage loan and with tax cut for people with children. Support of prolongation of maternity holiday with 69 % of salary and common taxation, children benefit rise and running of public nursery at every primary school was expressed by 70 - 80 % of people.

Government expenditure on social policy in general and in partial areas is evaluated as rather low than high. The exception is unemployment benefit, where number of those who consider government expenditure as low (26 %) is little bit lower than number of those who suppose it to be high (29 %) or who find it adequate (33 %). According to 42 % of respondents the government takes care of social situation in appropriate way while 45 % of respondents find the Government's focus on social situation of citizens too low and 7 % of respondents suppose it to be exaggerated.

The czech society mostly think that reforms in various areas are necessary.The strongest need for reform is in area of housing and health care system, mainly also in area of pensions , social benefits and taxes.In March 65 % - 70% of respondents agreed with opinion that Czech Republic need radical reforms in all mentioned areas.When talking about concrete problems, they insist on enhancement of social measure.

Nine out of ten citizens of Czech Republic would support salary provided by state for people, who look after old or handicapped family members in their own household. 84% of respondents think, that state should give financial support to enterprises, which make new vacancies. Seven out of 10 Czechs agree with no support for unemployed people, who would refuse to accept less-paid job. Respondents were mostly against charge for seeing a doctor and distribution of medicine, this reform would not be supported by more than three quarters of Czech citizens.

State expenditures on social policy in general and in its partial areas are always supposed to be low than high. The exception is unemployment benefit, where number of those who think this benefit is low (36 %) did not outbalance the number ot those who consider it to be appropriate (38 %), the most frequent answer was that state expenditures are low in this area. With the exception of expenditures on unemployment benefit, employment policy and a guarantee of living wage - the number of those (who suppose state expenditures on social policy to be low) was about 49 - 55 %.

In November survey CVVM interrogated the citizens about their opinions on introduction or application of provision, which could be called for popularisation of population. Major part of respondents voted for almost all of these provisions (definitely yes, probably yes).