Wages to rise by an estimated 5 percent in 2007

According to a survey conducted by the Mlada Fronta Dnes daily wages in the Czech Republic are expected to rise by an estimated 5 percent in 2007 although the rise in real wages should not exceed 2 percent. The paper polled over 100 large companies which together employ some 300,000 people. On the other hand a survey among Czech managers suggests that wage growth in the coming year will be slightly lower than 5 percent. Trade unions see the projected 5 percent growth as insufficient.