The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic approved the tightening of the law on foreigners, despite the position of the Senate
Senators rejected the amendments to the law on the stay of foreigners back in May, motivating their decision by the fact that it violates international law and in fact does not contribute to the security of the Czech Republic. "This is a law that does not protect the country's citizens, but only facilitates the work of Interior Ministry employees," the portal Novinky quoted Senator Vaclav Laska. Critics of the new document stated a violation of the Czech Constitution and international obligations given by the Czech Republic, and threatened a constitutional complaint.
As reported by Radio Prague, the introduced amendment limits economic migration and introduces the possibility of stopping the process of issuing a residence permit if a foreigner, for example, did not show up for an interview or provided false information about themselves. The amendment also limits the possibility of conducting business activities, introduces penalties for companies for employing foreigners without permission from labor exchanges.
Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec rejects the voiced criticism, emphasizing that the innovations enhance security in the country and allow regulating the influx of economic migrants.
The amendment introduces the so-called "institution of an unreliable employer." Employers who are debtors, as well as employers caught in illegal employment of foreigners or non-payment of social insurance for their employees, face a complete ban on employing foreign citizens.
This article of the amendment was previously criticized by Martin Rozumek, head of the Organization for Aid to Refugees. He believes that the wording of the amendment in this case is so vague that with each extension of a work card for a particular foreigner, employers will have to constantly prove that they are reliable. The result, Martin Rozumek believes, will be companies refusing to employ foreigners. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Czech Republic also protested against this article.
"We also protest against the restriction of business activities of foreigners. We are not satisfied that they will be able to engage in business only after 5 years of stay in the Czech Republic. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka signs an agreement with Japan allowing their students to stay with us. So, if such a student in the Czech Republic, for example, after studying for three years, receives a specialization in 'business management,' they will be able to engage in this business only after living with us for an additional two years. Only after that will they be able to change the 'basis for stay in the country' and engage in business," emphasizes Magdalena Faltova, director of the Association for Integration and Migration, chair of the Committee for the Rights of Foreigners under the Government Council for Human Rights.
On the contrary, the extension of periods of stay in the country without the need to reissue a work visa received a positive assessment. This refers to the so-called "institution of internal employment." Under a special card, a foreigner will be able to stay in the Czech Republic for six months if they work as a manager, specialist, or trainee in a company with headquarters outside the European Union. Also, foreigners who come for seasonal work will be able to work in the Czech Republic for 6 months.
At the same time, a foreign citizen loses the right to stay in the country for committing any criminal offense.
The Committee for the Rights of Foreigners is not satisfied with the worsening situation of family members of citizens of the Czech Republic when it comes to foreigners.
"Let's take as an example a student from Singapore who studies here, falls in love with a Czech citizen, and decides to stay with their partner. If their studies end with expulsion, today they can apply directly in the Czech Republic and stay in the country on the grounds of 'family reunification.' The new amendment no longer grants this right. An expelled student will have to return to Singapore, obtain an entry visa to the Czech Republic again, and only after arriving submit documents for a temporary residence permit in the country. Thus, a young family will spend 40,000 crowns on airfare to submit an application that could have been processed immediately in the Czech Republic. Note that if their beloved were a German citizen, nothing like that would happen. In that case, they are protected by European Union law," emphasizes Magdalena Faltova, director of the Association for Integration and Migration.