Migration in the Czech Migration in the Czech Republic after 1989Republic after 1989

Eva DohnalováBerkat, InBáze - community centre for migrantsdohnalova@inbaze.cz

Trends in immigration and integration policy in the Czech Republic

Since 1990 in the context of implying into EU Key player – Ministry of Interior, Department for

Asylum and Immigration Policy, http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/asylum-migration-integration.aspx

1st period 1990 – 1996

A) Immigration policy In the name of „laissez faire“ Spontanious after-revolution time Imigration control leaking Liberalism of tolerance but not of acceptance Naturalisation very difficult 1990 – Act No. 498 on Refugees

B) Emmigration policy Return of emmigrants from the communist regime Relocation programmes for compatriots

◦ 1991 – 1993 1812 compatriots from Chernobyl Ukraine

2nd period 1996 – 1999Immigration legislation and its

aplication toughening upReasons:

◦ a)internal – unemployment, fear from illegal migration

◦ b) external – harmonosation with EU legislation

Alien Act No.326/1999 ◦ Restrictive◦ Permanent residence permit after 10

years available for everybodyAsylum Act No. 325/1999

3rd period 1999 – 2004 Origins of conceptualising immigration policy Supremacy of law, not the policy

◦ Priority – transposition of EU law

2003 Formulated policy in the field of imigrationhttp://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/zasady-politiky-vlady-v-oblasti-migrace-cizincu.aspx

3 common goals Fighting ilegal migration Suporting profitable forms of migration Solving humanitarian crisis in countries of origin

2003 Pilote project Active recruitment of highly qualified migrants, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Main benefit – permanet residence after 2,5 years, 1,5 year including family members

Limited number of countries included Point model www.imigracecz.org

4th period 2004 – now 1.5. 2004 CR becomes a member of EU

◦ From transition to destination country 2006 – permanent residence after 5 years 21.12. 2007 CR become a part of Schengen area 1.1. 2009 Green cards programme

◦ http://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/zelene-karty.aspx◦ 2 in 1 – work permit and visa in one procedure◦ 3 categories (HQ – 3 years,less Q – 2 years, without

qualifiacation – 2 years without prolonging)◦ Only 12 countries (not Vietnam, Mongolia) ◦ 2009 only cca 40 cards issued◦ inconsistent programme – not very effective

1.1. 2009 agenda of permanent residence transferred from Alien Policy to Ministry of Interior

2009 Programme of assisted voluntary return – response to crisis

a) legal migrants February till December 2009

b) irregulat migrants – September – December 2009

Development since 1989Development since 1989

International Protection

Characteristic of the most important migrant Characteristic of the most important migrant groupgroup

1. Ukraine 130 924

2. Slovak Republic 72 499

3. Vietnam 61 166

4. Russian Federation 30 796 Poland, Germany, Moldavia, Bulgaria, USA, Mongolia, etc(28 February 2010)

Integration policyIntegration policy

1st period 1990 – 1998Only arrangements for specific groups: returned

compatriots and recognised refugeesState administration focused only on material helpRole of Council of Europe

2nd period 1999-2003Key player Ministry of Interior – Commision for

integration of foreigners and relations between communities (state bodies, academics, NNO´s)

Outcomes inconsistent1999 Fundaments of the conception of integration –

comunitarian discourse http://www.cizinci.cz/files/clanky/77/Zasady_vlady_integrace.pdf

2000 Conception of integration – focus on the civic integration of individuals

http://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/integrace.aspx

3rd period 2004 – 2008Key player Ministry of Labour and Social AffairsTrend: empowering the individual integration Implementation lagging behind conception2004 Analysis on the position of foreigners living in

CR, Gabal

4th period August 2008 till nowKey player again Ministry of Interior

4 main areas of integration policya) Czech language 1.1. 2009 language exam (A1) for permanent residence

b)orientation in the society www.cizinci.cz; www.domavcr.cz etc.

c)economic independence Economic crisis – many immigrants in irregular or

semiregular position

d)relations between foreigners and the Czech majority Immigrants communities, NNO ´s

Since 2008 Centres for supporting the integration

in all regional centres ex. Prague◦ Funded from EIF◦ Controvesional grant policy

Run mostly by allowance organisation of The Ministry of Interior

http://www.integracnicentra.cz/cz/

Labour migration and Labour migration and crisiscrisisMain problems

◦ Restrictive policy – no more issuing work visa, limits on prolonging work permits

◦ Client system, work agencies

◦ Foreign policy, Czech embassies and consulates

◦ Exploitation of migrants

◦ Migrants in trap (no possibility to go home, no work opportunities here)

◦ Illegal and semi-illegal status

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention