Brussels, 21/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission authorised welfare measures planned by the Czech government to cushion the social impact of restructuring the Czech railways. The Czech government has made provision for employees hardest hit by the loss of their jobs during the restructuring to receive a special grant. These include redundant workers who have little chance of finding alternative employment because of their age or, if they are single parents, due to lack of mobility. The scheme will operate from 2005 to 2008 and could be extended for a further three years if necessary, explains the Commission in a press release. The total amount of aid is CZK 1 860 million, or around €61 million; the number of employees eligible for the grant is estimated to be 11 100 in 2005-2008 (out of a total of 16 000 planned redundancies).