Dozens of companies are calling on Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS/ECR) to legalise same-sex marriage so that their employees can live and work in the Czech Republic without discrimination and prejudice, an open letter signed by major international and Czech companies said on Wednesday.
The letter was signed by 66 entities, including multinational companies like Microsoft, IBM, Ikea, banks, breweries and Czech automotive.
“As employers who collectively employ tens of thousands of people in the Czech Republic, we support and welcome their diversity. We share the wishes of lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people to live and work in the Czech Republic without discrimination and prejudice,” the letter says.
Companies argue that unequal conditions cause unnecessary expenses.
“Our employees living in same-sex unions or raising a child with a same-sex partner do not have some benefits that the state currently provides only to heterosexual employees,” the statement reads. Among the benefits, they name days off for weddings, which are not available for same-sex couples registrations.
The Czech Republic currently recognises marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, with Czech law only allowing same-sex couples to enter civil partnerships. Two people of the same sex are also barred from adopting children.
Lawmakers first discussed an equal marriage bill in 2016, but discussions have since stalled, meaning it remains in the hands of the Chamber of Deputies. However, other lawmakers are debating a counter-proposal to legalise marriage as only between a man and a woman.
“Thanks to these companies for giving us further impetus on this issue. I have never been averse to debating how to improve the lives of those in same-sex partnerships and move legislation to give them more rights. However, I believe it is right for MPs to decide on moral and ethical issues in a free vote based on their own convictions,” Fiala reacted to the letter, as quoted by Czech News Agency.
(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
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