Czech Republic likely to issue green cards to foreigners

The Chamber of Deputies has passed a bill amendment which should see green cards replace work visas and residence permits for foreign workers as of next year. The amendment was approved on Friday. By issuing green cards, the government is hoping to attract more foreign workers to the Czech Republic - an idea which has been criticised heatedly by the opposition. Opposition deputies were vocal ahead of the reading on Friday, warning of ghettoisation, security and health risks, but the government has argued the Czech economy needs the foreign workforce. According to Labour Ministry statistics, almost 280,000 foreigners currently work legally in the Czech Republic.

The green card is expected to replace the residence permit and work visa for foreign nationals. They will be able to apply only for jobs not filled by Czechs or other EU nationals within 30 days. For it to take effect, the law will now still have to be passed in the Senate and signed by the president.