Govt to introduce green cards for non-EU foreigners

The Czech government has approved a plan to introduce green cards for non-EU foreigners in selected professions. Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Necas revealed the news on Monday. Mr Necas said that the cards, which will provide a stay permit along with labour permit, should be introduced as quickly as possible. The government would like the cards to attract foreigners to areas short of labour. The local market lacks skilled manual workers as well as experts with university educations, Mr Necas stressed. According to the minister around 220,000 foreign workers legally work in the Czech Republic now. But a large number of them come from EU countries. the Czech Republic would like to attract more workers from outside the EU and the government expects the green cards will simplify the current work permit system.

Author: Jan Velinger