The Economic Case for Marriage Equality in the Czech Republic

1 Jan

Published 2020

Businesses support LGBT+ inclusion and the freedom to marry in the Czech Republic

Open For Business is a coalition of global companies, many of whom provide economic opportunities in the Czech Republic. Our coalition partners want to see the continued growth and prosperity of the Czech Republic, and so we write to support the more than 70,000 people in the Czech movement Isme Fér that support the freedom to marry.* In June 2018, 46 Deputies of the Czech Chamber of Deputies introduced a bill to amend the Civil Code to give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones 23 The same-sex marriage bill was to have been voted on in January 2019, and then March 2019, but has now been postponed with no further anticipated date available.

Many companies in the Czech Republic are supportive of the freedom to marry and understand that a more

LGBT + inclusive Czech Republic will be better for companies and for the Czech Republic's overall economic growth.

The freedom to marry is a strong step toward a more open and LGBT + inclusive society, which is good for business and economic growth. The freedom to marry and LGBT + inclusion can help the Czech Republic:

Close the skills gap: LGBT + inclusive societies are more effective at attracting and retaining skilled workers.
Signalling openness through the freedom to marry could play a strong role in closing the skills gap.
Increase national productivity: LGBT+ discrimination in society and in the workplace acts as a drag on national productivity by lowering output and inefficiently allocating human capital.
Boost innovation and attract foreign direct investment: Evidence shows that LGBT+ inclusive environments foster greater innovation and attract higher levels of foreign direct investment.
Reduce administrative burden and improve business performance: The freedom to marry can reduce some of the administrative burden placed on companies and create a supportive environment for companies to implement inclusive policies that boost performance.