- Hans Weber
- November 1, 2024
Study Highlights Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Refugees in the Czech Republic
A study conducted by the PAQ agency sheds light on the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees living in the Czech Republic. The study reveals that a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees struggle with poverty, language barriers, and underemployment, despite being economically active.
According to the study, around two-thirds of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic live below the poverty line. Vulnerable households with children are particularly affected by this situation. Despite the fact that 67% of economically active refugees have managed to secure jobs, nearly half of them have limited proficiency in the Czech language.
The study also highlights that while many refugees are working, a considerable portion are employed in less skilled positions, and over 40% of them are working well below their qualifications. This underutilization of skills prevents them from fully realizing their potential and contributing to the Czech labor market effectively.
The challenges of low-skilled jobs are evident, with approximately two-thirds of refugees earning up to 150 Czech korun per hour. Additionally, a quarter of respondents stated that they need to work more hours to make ends meet. Lack of social and health insurance coverage, as well as vacation time, were also reported by one-third of refugees.
The study identifies the inadequate knowledge of Czech as the primary obstacle to obtaining work for refugees, with 71% mentioning this as a major challenge. Other challenges include the inability to care for children (29%) and difficulties in getting their education from Ukraine recognized (28%).
Housing is another concern, with nearly half of the refugees living in rental accommodations. Changes in the law have restricted access to free housing for refugees, leaving many vulnerable individuals without adequate housing beyond the initial 150 days of temporary protection.
The study’s findings have implications for social policy and support for refugees. Suggestions include only counting a portion of working income (e.g., 70%) for humanitarian assistance calculations, similar to how Czech households applying for material aid are treated. Such measures could help address demotivation and encourage refugees to fully declare their incomes.
The study was based on surveys conducted in June and involved 1,425 households with a total of 3,789 residents, including 1,203 children, providing insights into the living conditions and challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic.
Article by Prague Forum
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