Czechia

Czechia Plans to Attract Workers From Portugal & Spain to Fill Labour Shortages

Czechia is planning to attract workers from southern EU countries like Spain and Portugal, which have a higher unemployment rate, in a bid to close its labour shortages. The plans have been revealed by the Minister of Labor Marian Jurečka, who noted that the country will target qualified and expert workers by establishing close cooperation with local institutions in some southern EU countries that mediate employment. “We are taking targeted steps to attract these people to our labor market. There are countries, especially in southern Europe, where the unemployment rate is significantly above the EU average. For young people, it can be as high as 10 to 15 percent. We want to bring in people with high competence, particularly in the fields of IT and research,” says Jurečka. The Minister has revealed his plans while presenting an interactive map of the necessary capacities of the workforce, together with the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Zdeněk Zajíček and the vice president of the Association of Industry and Transport, Milena Jabůrková. Through this model, the Czech authorities intend to identify the necessary measures that need to be taken in order to fill in labour shortages, in particular in key sectors like...

 by Prague Morning Jan 27, 2024

Czech Lower House Approves Tougher Gun Law After Nation’s Worst Mass Shooting

The Czech Parliament’s lower house on Friday approved an amendment to the country’s gun law that tightens requirements for owning a weapon more than a month after the worst mass killing in the nation’s history. The legislation now goes before the Senate and if approved there must then be signed by President Petr Pavel before becoming law. On Dec. 22, a lone shooter killed 14 people and wounded dozens before killing himself at a Charles University building in downtown Prague. The assailant was a 24-year-old student who had a proclivity for firearms, with a license to own eight guns, including two long guns. Authorities said he had no criminal record and therefore did not attract the attention of authorities. Parliamentary debate on the legislation had already begun before that shooting. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has said it was hard to speculate whether the new rules would have prevented it if they had been in effect before it took place. In the 200-seat lower house, lawmakers approved the changes in a 151-0 vote. If approved by the Senate, where the ruling coalition government has a majority, and signed by President Petr Pavel, it would then be possible for authorities to seize...

 by Cara Stevenson Jan 26, 2024

Train Collision in Karvinsko Injures 16 People, Leaves Driver Dead

A fast train collided with a truck in Karvinsko, killing one person and injuring at least 16 people, officials said. The Czech Railways said the driver of the train was killed. Police said their preliminary information shows dozens could be injured while the Czech Railways 16 people suffered injuries. Emergency services are currently at the scene. The accident occurred early in the morning when a fast train heading for Prague, hit a truck at a crossing near the town of Bohumin. Authorities say an investigation is underway into the cause of the crash. Czech Railways reported the collision on the Ostrava–Žilina line in the Bohumín–Dětmarovice section. The rescue system is fully engaged, and the police have confirmed one fatality, with ongoing emergency response efforts. The Railway Administration expects traffic disruptions throughout the day due to damage to the traction line, derailing of the locomotive, and a wagon. According to firefighters’ spokeswoman Kamila Langerová, 35 people were travelling on the train. Martin Kavka, a spokesman for the Railway Administration (SŽ), said the locomotive and one carriage were derailed after the collision and the overhead wires were damaged. “Traffic may be stopped in the area for the whole day,” he told ČTK....

 by Prague Morning Jan 24, 2024

Interior Ministry Introduces Updated Law for Foreigners’ Entry & Stay in Czechia

A new law regulating the entry and stay of internationals has been finalized by Czechia’s Ministry of the Interior, which, by digitalising the residence agenda, will accelerate the residence procedure and contribute to a more transparent legal regulation of the stay of internationals. Confirming that it has revised the existing law related to the entry and stay of internationals in the country, the Ministry of the Interior considered the current law “outdated” and, as a result of frequent amendments, “confusing”. The main change in the law is the digitalization of the residence agenda, while there will not be any substantial changes related to the conditions for granting a residence permit. The Ministry has stressed that in parallel with the preparation of the new law, a new information system is being built. This system will incorporate the creation of an electronic identity and a foreigner’s account designed for non-citizens. “With digitization, we will speed up the residency procedure and reduce the administrative burden. The whole process will be easier and faster. Foreigners will be able to communicate online with the authorities from home and vice versa. This will make it easier not only for our workplaces, which are in charge of...

 by Prague Morning Jan 23, 2024

Risk on the Shelves: Psychoactive Candies Appear in Czech Stores

Candy and confectionery containing psychoactive substances have recently emerged on the Czech market, escaping any legal regulations. This has led to their unregulated sale in various forms, without quality testing, and without restrictions, including to minors. Jindřich Vobořil, the national coordinator for drug policy, has highlighted the potential risks associated with these products. Vobořil draws attention to products containing the new semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC, which mirrors the effects of THC, the primary natural psychoactive substance in cannabis. He urges vendors to remove these products from the market before the New Psychomodulants Act is enacted. “The consumption of these products, often featuring high concentrations of cannabinoids, poses risks due to potential strong and unexpected intoxication. This can be attributed to the slow absorption of the active substances, their prolonged action, or the difficulty in controlling the course of intoxication after ingestion,” warned Vobořil. He further emphasized that the risk escalates when these products are combined with alcohol, drugs, or other substances with psychoactive effects, particularly in children. Vobořil deems it highly unethical to present these products in an enticing form for children and as food. “I urge manufacturers and sellers of HHC-containing products to reconsider their practices and withdraw such items...

 by Gabriella Burgess Jan 23, 2024

Foreigners Now Make Up More Than 20% of Czechia’s Workforce

The Czech Republic is experiencing a notable demographic shift, marked by a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers. Nearly one-fifth of the employed population in the country is now comprised of foreigners, with over 800,000 contributing to the Czech workforce. Of these, nearly 409,800 are from EU countries, while 285,545 hailed from Ukraine, demonstrating a significant growth since 2015. In the past year alone, approximately 30,700 foreigners found employment in the Czech Republic. As of December, labor offices recorded a total of over 823,900 foreigners, indicating a 2.5-fold increase since the end of 2015. According to statistics from the Czech Statistical Office (CSO), the total number of employees in the Czech Republic for the first three quarters of the previous year reached 4.23 million. “The numbers of foreigners are growing gradually, and it’s because they are filling in the gaps in the labor market. We have a very low unemployment rate and growing wages, quicker than the western part of the EU.  It looks somehow like a brain drain from Eastern Europe,” said Dalibor Holý, Director of the Labour Market and Equal Opportunities Statistics Department. The aging population in the Czech Republic has prompted concerns about a diminishing...

 by Prague Morning Jan 22, 2024

Czech Air Quality Showed Improvements in 2023

Air quality in the Czech Republic was good in 2023, according to a summary report released by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMU). Concentrations of most pollutants fell again to their lowest levels in a decade, and for the first time ever, no pollutant limits were exceeded for fine dust particles PM10 and PM2.5. As in previous years, pollutant limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) were not exceeded, partly thanks to favourable meteorological and dispersion conditions, according to a preliminary assessment presented by CHMU. “The relatively good air quality in the Czech Republic, with the exception of ground-level ozone (O3), was mainly due to significantly lower concentrations of air pollutants during the winter period, when favourable meteorological and dispersion conditions prevailed in terms of air quality “, the meteorologists said. Due to the energy crisis, some households burned more solid fuels, but their negative impact on the air was mitigated by the continuation of measures to improve air quality, including replacing boilers in households and switching to alternative heating methods such as heat pumps. For the fourth time in a row, the limit for annual average NO2 concentration was not exceeded at any station in...

 by Prague Morning Jan 21, 2024

Ústí nad Labem: Man Under Drug Influence Cuts Off Ears and Penis

In the Ústí nad Labem region, a man under the influence of drugs shocked locals as he ran half-naked down the street, prompting police and paramedics to intervene. Police officers responded to reports of a disoriented man with a swollen face exhibiting unusual behavior. Concerned about the situation, officers called in paramedics as a precautionary measure. Upon arrival, paramedics found out that the man’s ears and penis had been amputated, describing the unusual scene as “amputation of the pinnae of both ears bilaterally and of the penis above the scrotum.” Despite attempts to assist him, the man initially resisted cooperation with both paramedics and police officers. A subsequent drug test revealed traces of methamphetamine and marijuana in his body. With medical intervention, the man eventually began communicating and cooperating. During the interaction, the man admitted to self-inflicting the injuries but was unable to provide a reason for his actions. The swelling in his face was attributed to a fall that had taken place earlier. Following necessary treatment, the man was transported to the hospital. Paramedics suggested that the incident might be linked to amphetamine toxic psychosis.

 by Prague Morning Jan 18, 2024

Record Number of Self-Employed Individuals Cease Business in Czechia

In 2023, the Czech Republic witnessed a record-breaking 277,000 self-employed individuals terminating their businesses, marking the highest number since 1993, according to data from Imper. The trend is attributed to economic uncertainties, escalating costs and increased administrative requirements such as mandatory data boxes. Despite 68,000 entrepreneurs registering anew, mirroring the figures from 2022, the overall termination of businesses reflects a challenging economic environment. Last year, 14,000 limited liability companies and 4,703 foreign individuals ceased to exist. Associations that ceased to exist were 3,424, and individuals engaged in agriculture also significantly felt the impact with 2,836 entities ending their activities, a notable increase from 812 in 2022 The termination of businesses in 2023 almost matched the previous record set in 1993 when over 278,000 self-employed individuals ended their businesses. Factors contributing to this record include the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and the legislative prohibition of the “black system,” effective from that year onwards. Throughout the years, the number of terminated businesses varied in the tens of thousands, with exceptions like 2013 when nearly 150,000 self-employed individuals ceased their activities and the post-COVID year 2022. Tomáš Berger, the director of Imper, pointed out that the peak termination of activities occurred during February and...

 by Cara McErlean Jan 16, 2024

“Dry February 2024” Aims for a Healthier Lifestyle Beyond Sobriety

In the UK and US, people attempt a month without drinking alcohol under the banner of Dry January, but in Czechia, February is the nationally recognized month for abstaining. In its 2024 edition, the Dry February campaign (Suchej únor) extends its mission beyond alcohol abstinence, urging participants to embrace a healthier lifestyle. The goal is ambitious—to impact over one million individuals, building on the 14 percent of the population that engaged last year. For those backing the cause financially, benefits include online workout sessions and monthly memberships to weight-loss apps, to complimentary rides on shared bikes. “If we take data from the World Health Organisation, we have long been ranked among the top three global consumers. Some 14 litres of pure alcohol are consumed per person per year in this country, which is an enormous number. And that’s after deducting tourist consumption,”  says Petr Freimann of the non-profit organisation behind the campaign. Looking back at last year’s campaign, expert guarantor Josef Petr said, “We successfully got thousands of people to rethink their relationship with alcohol. More than half of them continued to drink less even months after the Dry February ended.” “We have tens of hundreds of stories from people...

 by Karolina Kubičková Jan 15, 2024

First Photoshoot for Rare Male Pygmy Hippo Takes Place at Czech Zoo

A rare male pygmy hippopotamus born in a Czech zoo has taken part in his first photoshoot, to the delight of spectators. The hippo, named Mikolas, is considered a valuable addition to conservation efforts over the endangered species. Born in December, Mikolas has joined two female and one male in the Dvur Kralove Zoo, said Helena Hubackova, a spokeswoman for the park. Mikolas could be seen exploring his indoor enclosure with his mother Malaya closely watching over him. Pygmy hippos are native to swamps and rainforests in western Africa. It is estimated only about 2,500 still live in the wild. Their breeding in captivity has been complicated, particularly due to a lack of males. Only a dozen pygmy hippos were born in zoos globally last year, and not all survived. Weighing up to 275 kilos (nearly 600lbs), the pygmy hippos are solitary and considered less dangerous than common hippos. But they can get wild at times. A zookeeper in Dvur Kralove was seriously injured by one of the hippos in 2012 and had to be treated at an intensive care unit.  

 by Prague Morning Jan 15, 2024

Significant Cocaine Seizure in Prague Reveals Growing Challenges

Prague police made a major breakthrough last week, arresting two individuals involved in the illicit cocaine trade. The duo, responsible for distributing several kilograms of the drug annually, was taken into custody following a raid that uncovered a staggering 12.5 kilograms of cocaine and CZK 14 million. This marks the largest drug bust in Prague in recent years. Jakub Frydrych, Director of the National Anti-Drug Center, highlighted the increased popularity of cocaine in the Czech Republic due to its growing availability. Frydrych estimated the street value of the seized cocaine at around CZL 6 million. Explaining the dynamics of the illicit trade, he stated, “A good price among wholesalers is approximately CZK 492,000.” He pointed out that cocaine enters the Czech Republic through various routes, with increasing involvement of European laboratories in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Baltics. The director emphasized the challenges posed by container transport, which constitutes approximately 75 percent of the trade volume in the European Union. “With more cocaine reaching Europe, its average price is decreasing, and quality is increasing—a litmus test of prosperity,” Frydrych continued. He expressed concern about the rising popularity of cocaine in the Czech Republic compared to other stimulants in...

 by Prague Morning Jan 15, 2024

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