19 May 2022 15:14

Over 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have found jobs in Czech Republic - media

KYIV. May 19 (Inerfax-Ukraine) - More than 50,000 refugees from Ukraine have found jobs in the Czech Republics, mostly filling vacant positons, Radio Prague International said on Thursday, citing the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

"Ukrainian refugees are most frequently getting employed in manufacturing, the construction sector, the service sector, and transport. These are mostly long-term vacant positions," the ministry said.

Another 7,800 people have registered with employment centers as persons who already have jobs.

Around 29% of Ukrainians who have arrived in the Czech Republic in the past few months said that they have a high education degree, another 23% said they have a vocational degree, and 17% have learned a new profession, the ministry said. The other Ukrainian refugees, less than a third of the total number, have only a high school diploma.

Ukrainian refugees who receive food and hygiene products free of charge in the Czech Republic may become ineligible for a humanitarian subsidy of 5,000 Czech korunas (CZK), or around $21, Radio Prague International said.

This point is contained in an amendment to the Lex Ukrajina law, which regulates the rules for Ukrainian refugees' stay in the Czech Republic. Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Iva Mergautova said it at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on social affairs.

Today, refugees are entitled to a one-off payment of 5,000 Czech korunas to cover their initial expenses, and a refugee may subsequently receive this payment for another five months if the refugee confirms the absence of other sources of income, it said.

"Some opposition politicians have criticized this system, arguing that some citizens of Ukraine come to the Czech Republic only to receive a humanitarian subsidy," according to the report.

A proposal has also been put forth to pay "solidarity subsidies" to the owners of apartments and houses who have provided free accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, even if refugees pay for gas and electricity.

The Czech media outlet Denik N, in turn, said on Thursday that Prague has issued 348,177 temporary visas to Ukrainian refugees since February 24. For instance, 1,407 people received such visas on Wednesday, May 18, which is 272 fewer than a week ago.

"Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said in a statement on Sunday that the Czech Republic is currently home to some 200,000 refugees, some of whom are already returning home," it said.

The Czech police, in turn, have registered 248,370 people, including 1,978 on Wednesday.

"Children younger than 15 years of age, who, based on statistics, account for around 30% of refugees, do not have to inform [the police of their place of residence]. Teenagers 15 to 18 years of age account for approximately 7% [of refugees], while elderly people above 65 years of age account for another 3.5%. Among Ukrainian adult refugees, 72% are women," it said.

Data released by the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs show that more than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have found jobs in the country.