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Laid-off migrant workers face visa issues

Plzeň workers say they are the 'first victims' of financial crisis

By Curtis M. Wong
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
December 10th, 2008 issue

VLADIMÍR WEISS/THE PRAGUE POST
Helena Duchková says Plzeň is the first Czech city to aid migrants.
Plzeň, West Bohemia
As the center of one of the country’s largest industrial regions, Plzeň has long been a haven for immigrants, who traditionally flock to the city for its employment opportunities. In recent months, the region’s industrial giants have downsized due to an economic slowdown, causing a surge in the area’s number of unemployed foreigners, with many calling themselves the Czech Republic’s first victims of the global financial crisis.
The sudden plummet in employment at Plzeň’s industrial plants has strained resources at many of the region’s charity centers, and officials are hoping a new city-funded project, initially planned to assist foreigners with standard integration issues, will be revised to address these concerns.
“No other city in the Czech Republic has even tried to deal with the integration of foreigners this way before,” said Helena Duchková, head of Diecézní charita Plzeň, which provides aid to out-of-work immigrants and refugees. “But no one expected the type of situation we’re dealing with now.”
With production down at the city’s industrial plants, many have been forced to downsize their staff.
Spokespeople at international electronics manufacturer Panasonic, one of the region’s biggest employers of immigrant workers, did not return multiple requests for comment.
Assembly line workers from non-European Union countries such as Ukraine, Vietnam and Mongolia are typically the first to be axed, said Duchková.
That was the case for Igor and Svetlana S., a Ukrainian couple who arrived in the Czech Republic two and a half years ago to seek employment. “We’d been promised things here by people who’d come to the Czech Republic and had a really good experience,” said Igor, who previously worked as a geography teacher.
“We wanted to make money,” added Svetlana, who has a degree in engineering.
Both landed jobs at one of the city’s electronic plants, where they worked until Igor was dismissed from his position in mid-November, followed by Svetlana Dec. 1.  
While laid-off foreigners struggle with financial and visa issues, most do not face existential problems. Svetlana and Igor admit they are concerned, but have yet to deal with any substantial debt.
After initial dealings with agencies with questionable tactics and dubious working conditions, both say they are unwilling to take any job to make ends meet. “We’ve put out applications everywhere,” Svetlana said. “In many cases, the pay is either too low or the conditions of the job aren’t suitable for us.”  
Currently, a return to Ukraine is not a viable option. “We might go back for holidays, but we can’t imagine living there for any longer amount of time. The same economic crisis is affecting our country, and there are even fewer opportunities for us there.”
Other unemployed immigrants felt similarly. Lkhagva D. arrived in Plzeň from his native Mongolia more than a year ago. He first landed a job in a meatpacking firm, followed by a new position at international electronics manufacturer Panasonic that began eight months ago.  
“Like many people in my country, I wanted to earn more money, experience life in a democratic country and have a better lifestyle,” said Lkhagva, who has a degree in physical education.
On Nov. 10, Lkhagva returned from a two-week sick leave to find out he no longer had a job. On top of this loss, he learned that he would not be compensated for his sick leave. Instead of his usual 12,000 Kč salary, he received only 2,000 Kč for the month of October, he said.
Life goes on
Lkhagva’s main concern is the possibility of losing his work and residence visa. Initially, he hoped his wife and 4-year-old daughter would join him from Mongolia once he had established himself in the country, but, without gainful employment, that plan is on hold indefinitely.
“Life goes on here, but I’ve lost my sense of security,” he said. “I’ve been looking for new jobs and I’m still looking, but there are no open positions.” While he would like to stay in Plzeň, he says he will consider relocation if gainful employment is an option. “I’d go to any town if there are opportunities there. If there’s a chance to work in another country, I’d take that as well.”
Observers note that transitioning from native working habits to those of the Czech Republic can lead to additional problems, which may be a factor in many employees’ dismissal. In Mongolia, it is common for employees to receive two free days after receiving their wages, a custom that conflicts with local business practice, said Ariunjurgal Dashnyam of the Czech-Mongolian Association in Plzeň.
Plzeň City Hall officials hoping to address foreigners’ problems began a new integration program which includes language and culture courses for non-native employees. While civic groups have praised the city’s ongoing effort, many say an extensive revision of the program, which went into effect at the end of August, is essential in the wake of the massive layoffs.
“It’s wonderful to educate people on Czech language and culture, but what they should really be concerned with right now is food and shelter,” Duchková said. “There are many more important things that need to be considered.”
 
— Nina Makelberge contributed to this report.

Curtis M. Wong can be reached at cwong@praguepost.com


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