Employment bureaus may begin issuing welfare cards next spring

Employment bureaus may begin issuing welfare cards between March and April, 2012, provided a contract is concluded with the bank Česká Spořitelna, which is to manage the cards. The Labour Ministry is still in negotiations with the bank. The cards are intended for the payment of most welfare benefits from the employment bureaus. The Labour Ministry expects to save a billion crowns in operational costs once they are introduced.