Rising food and fuel prices have once again forced people to take to the streets of Prague to demand more help from the Czech government, DPA and Agerpres reported on Saturday.

The “Against Poverty” protest, which took place on Saturday in Wenceslas Square in Prague, was organized by trade unions and gathered thousands of people.

“We came not because we have nothing to do, but because we fear for our future,” said Josef Stredula, president of the CMKOS trade union confederation.

His demands include raising the minimum wage, which currently stands at €660 a month, and for the state to regulate the cost of everyday goods.

Consumer prices in the Czech Republic increased by 17.2% in August compared to the same period last year, according to the data of the national statistical agency.

As an emergency measure against high energy prices, the center-right government led by Prime Minister Piotr Fiala has approved price caps on electricity and gas for households and small businesses, which will take effect in November.

Several large-scale demonstrations took place in Prague, asking the government to do more to combat rising prices. Many protesters blame the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine and demand an end to sanctions against Russia.

They are protesting against poverty in Bratislava as well

Several thousand people also gathered in Bratislava’s SNP Square on Saturday to protest against poverty, Slovakia’s official TASR news agency reported, as quoted by Agerpres.

The demonstration was organized by the Confederation of Trade Unions (KOZ), which appealed to the Government and Parliament to take immediate measures and act to overcome the energy and inflationary crisis, lower living standards of the population and stabilize the economy.

Unions said aid aimed at citizens, municipalities and businesses was insufficient, citing better aid from other countries.

“We have a pandemic of a new type, a poverty pandemic. Every day of inaction by the government and the parliament has consequences,” the protesters said, emphasizing the threat of “valleys of hunger” and “collapse” of regions.

They drew attention to people’s frustration and despair. Due to the deterioration of the socio-economic situation, people are worried about the near future.

They also called on the Slovak government to urgently deal with the current critical situation in the country, asking it to take measures to “tame” inflation and mitigate its negative impact on citizens’ lives, and to make it clear to households what they can expect. , companies and government institutions in the coming months regarding energy prices.