STRIKE

Unions at retail chain Tesco are threatening to go on strike alert before Christmas, said union representative Ivan Predinsky Nov. 6. Employees of the 12,000-strong company are seeking wage increases, but company officials say unions are using inaccurate arguments in favor of the increase. Tesco is one of the country's largest employers.

HARVEST

The Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) is reporting significantly lower yields to the country's crops. The 6.5 million metric ton (7.2 million short ton) grain harvest was 15.5 percent lower than last year's, according to estimates by the ČSÚ. The 2006 potato harvest was 29.7 percent lower than last year's. The amount of maize and sugar beet harvested also decreased.

SURPLUS

The country had a foreign trade surplus of 7.5 billion Kč ($340 million) in September, up 2.2 billion Kč against a year ago, the ČSÚ said Oct. 3. The surplus came thanks to trade in machinery and transport equipment. Foreign trade surplus for the year stands at 41.4 billion Kč, up 4 billion Kč from 2005.

E-TOLLS

The tender to build electronic tolls contains a hidden amendment that could force the state to pay more money to winning firm Kapsch, the daily Mladá fronta Dnes (MfD) reported Nov. 5. Former Transportation Minister Milan Šimonovský admitted that he only read the contract superficially. Meanwhile, delays in the project could threaten the Jan. 1 launch of the e-toll system.

MERGER Interior Minister Ivan Langer told the daily Právo Nov. 6 that the financial police would merge with the anti-corruption squad at the end of the year. Financial police officials have spoken against the planned reorganization. The unit has recovered nearly 4 billion Kč in its two years of existence.

RESTRUCTURING

The Finance Ministry and the Transportation Ministry will issue a public tender for a company to propose a restructuring plan for ailing national air carrier Czech Airlines (ČSA), MfD reported Nov. 2. Finance Minister Vlastimil Tlustý told the paper that the situation was "bleak" and that the tender winner should determine whether current ČSA management is capable of managing the airline.

ESSO

Esso has put 41 of its Czech gas stations up for sale due to a change in the business plan of its owner, Esso Deutschland, Euro Online reported Nov. 2. Analysts say that the company has not been able to withstand domestic competition. Large retail chains like Tesco and Hypernova have started selling cheaper fuel at their hypermarkets to attract customers. Esso Deutschland is a subsidiary of U.S.-based ExxonMobil.

BONDS

The Finance Ministry said it would issue nearly 15 billion Kč in unscheduled government bonds by the end of this year, ministry officials said Nov. 2. The ministry wants to keep its promise to pay a 17 billion Kč debt to the central bank. It already planned to issue bonds totaling 155.5 billion Kč this year.