19 July 2006

Czech Government Launches the “Selection of Qualified Foreign Workers” Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MLSA) has launched a pilot project on the “Selection of Qualified Foreign Workers” in Bosnia and Herzegovina today. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sarajevo will be the implementing partner responsible for informing the public about the project.

The aim of the project is to open opportunities for qualified workers who meet the eligibility criteria for long-term employment in the Czech Republic to attain permanent residency. Eligible candidates who have a job in the Czech Republic can apply to the project and attain a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic after two and a half years instead of current five years. This advantage will also be extended to immediate family members.

The Czech government has been successfully implementing this project since 2003 in Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine. As of July 2006, the project has been expanded to include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Russian Federation. “This project helps to combat irregular migration by opening the door to legal migrants. In addition, attaining a permanent residence permit brings the level of social and economic rights for legal migrants in line with those of Czech nationals and thereby prevents any negative social impact on migrant families", said Zdena Caisová, project manager from the Czech MLSA.

Since its inception in July 2003, over 400 candidates have been selected to participate in the project.

More information about the project can be found on the website www.imigracijacz.org or by calling the information line 033 648 213 (9-12h, 14-17h).