Czech experts see new restrictions and tightening of screws in new rules for foreigners
"This is yet another restrictive amendment, and a serious one at that. It introduces a whole range of measures that burden the system and reduce its transparency. There are more restrictive measures in the amendment than useful ones," said Petr Baroch from the Organization for Aid to Refugees in a comment to Radio Prague.
According to Interior Minister Jan Hamáček, who is the chairman of the parliamentary Social Democratic Party, the amendment to the Law on the Stay of Foreigners was developed primarily to implement a European Union directive simplifying rules for researchers from third countries, as well as students within the EU.
Magda Faltová, head of the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations on Integration and Migration, considers this one of the few positive aspects of the regulation. The Czech Republic is now introducing a new type of residence permit for foreign students and researchers, who, after completing their studies or work under a specific project covered by the relevant visa, will be able to look for a job or start their own business for the following nine months.
"I think this is the only positive point in the amendment. Otherwise, it seems to me that a foreigner in the Czech Republic is treated as an object that the state lets into its territory, uses for its own purposes, and then forces to leave by canceling their residence permit," adds Petr Baroch.
Another positive aspect of the amendment is considered to be the simplification and expansion of the government program to support economic migration for highly qualified workers.
On the contrary, migration experts criticize the change in the stay regime for foreigners holding 'Employee Cards.' This is a special residence permit in the Czech Republic that allows employment. Since July 31, holders of such cards are not allowed to change their employer during the first six months, under threat of cancellation of their residence permit.
"In this case, we are talking about a serious strengthening of employers' positions relative to foreign workers. Complete inequality arises. Even in cases of harassment of a foreign employee or other problems, the worker will have to seriously consider what to do, what they can afford. The law is so strict that if a foreign employee decides to leave an aggressive employer in the first six months, they immediately lose the right to stay in the Czech Republic," notes Petr Baroch from the Organization for Aid to Refugees.
The Interior Ministry, on the other hand, argues that the new six-month ban on changing employers will prevent labor agencies from using predatory methods.
Also disliked by advocates for migrants and foreign workers is the introduction of special 'extraordinary visas' in the Czech Republic, which can be issued to nationals of specific countries and apply only to workers in certain sectors of the economy. The decision to issue such visas, taking into account the needs of the economy, will be made solely by the government.
Magda Faltová from the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations on Integration and Migration draws attention to the fact that people with this special type of temporary residence permit will not be able to change the purpose of their stay in the Czech Republic. Their stay is limited to one year, after which they must leave. Such workers cannot bring their families. While in the Czech Republic, they are deprived of the right to apply for another type of visa.