The number of foreigners in the Czechsia exceeded one million
However, the Ministry of the Interior still lacks adjusted data on the number of war refugees from Ukraine who remained in the Czech Republic and did not travel further west.
The Czech Republic is not a closed isolated island where only people of Czech nationality live. The head of the Ministry of the Interior, Vít Rakušan, said on Monday that the number of foreigners living here exceeded one million.
“I must admit that the data surprised me as well,” the Austrian continued at a press conference on the occasion of International Refugee Day. “In the last three years, even before the war crisis, over 100,000 foreigners came to us legally,” he added.
He also pointed out that 77,000 war refugees had found work in the Czech Republic. “It shows that these people are not coming here to abuse the system.”
However, the Ministry of the Interior still lacks adjusted data on the number of war refugees from Ukraine who remained in the Czech Republic and did not travel further west. This is despite the fact that a European system for sharing information on refugees has been launched since the end of May, from which the numbers have been promised.
“The European Commission has met the deadline, but first the data is entered there by countries that do not have such a strong representation in the refugee wave, such as Poland or the Czech Republic. We are only at the end of the series, “said the Austrian, adding that the data should be available soon.
During a press conference, representatives of the non-profit sector called on the Czechia to focus on the actual integration of refugees into society.
“Strong, brave people with a lot of knowledge and competencies often come here. It is up to us to create the conditions for them to develop their talents here. Whether they decide to stay or return to Ukraine, “said Andrea Krchova, director of the Consortium of NGOs working with migrants.
