Czech authorities considering scheme to pay laid-off immigrant workers to return home

Rising unemployment spells bad news for the hundreds of thousands of non-nationals working in the Czech Republic. Things are especially difficult for workers from outside the European Union, who when they lose a job also quickly lose their legal status. Now the Czech authorities are preparing a system under which such workers could be given a flight ticket – and a cash incentive – to return to their countries of origin.

Photo: Kristýna Maková, Czech Radio

It is not so long since the Czech Republic, its economy thriving, was doing its best to attract workers from abroad to bolster its labour force. But now the global financial crisis has led to rising unemployment, with foreigners often the first to be let go.

The situation is particularly acute in the case of workers from Asian states such as Vietnam and Mongolia, many of whom have been brought to the Czech Republic by unscrupulous agencies. Unlike EU citizens, they almost immediately lose their legal right to work in the country if they are laid off.

Photo: European Commission

Unable to find legal employment, many such Asian guest workers may well end up on the streets and exploited in the black economy, with the Czech authorities concerned a small minority may turn to crime.

To combat the problem, the Interior Ministry has come up with a plan that should be considered by the government next week, according to press reports. The most eye-catching aspect of the proposal is an idea to give now-out-of-work immigrants flight tickets to their country of origin, along with a 500-euro handout.

The reason for the money is that many have either borrowed to come to the Czech Republic and are in debt or are reluctant to go home with no cash.

An Interior Ministry spokesperson told Wednesday’s edition of Mladá fronta Dnes that such a repatriation scheme – planned to involve 2,000 immigrants – would save the government money, as catching and deporting them would cost the state significantly more.