The decision of the Czech government is explained by the desire to reduce the influx of cheap labor amid an economic downturn and rising unemployment. During the crisis, Czech companies often prefer to use local workers, leaving arriving migrants without income.
In February, the Czech government already offered all migrants who want to return home a financial compensation of €500 and payment of a plane ticket. By mid-March, 738 foreigners had taken advantage of this offer, 550 of whom were from Mongolia.
According to official statistics, more than 290 thousand migrants were officially working in the Czech Republic in October, and at the end of January – already 272 thousand. At the same time, the unemployment rate in the country was 7.4% in February. For comparison, a year earlier this figure did not exceed 5.9%.
The Czech authorities emphasize that the visa issuance ban will not affect those who come to the country for tourism purposes or those who applied for a work visa earlier.