Building fair migration policy

Description

We strive to reach the change in the area of migration, asylum, and integration policy and legislation in the Czech Republic through the combination of advocacy, analytical and informative activities. 

The aim of the project is to contribute to a fairer setting of the migration and integration policy of the Czech Republic, especially in their particularly pressing aspects: Advocacy activities will lead, for example, to the introduction of a transparent system of control of employers within the so-called programs for the acquisition of foreign workers, where violations of the rules are monitored and lead to the application of sanctions. Migrants will gain better access to health insurance and care. As a result of our activity in the project, there will be no deterioration of human rights standards in the relevant legislation. Thanks to our work with data, the relevant actors will learn to collect data, analyze it and use it as a basis for creating policies and measures in the field of migration and integration. Establishing cooperation with other affected entities (unions, municipalities) will then lead to their involvement in comment procedures and in the creation of their positions with the NGO Consortium. The project also aims to strengthen the capacities of NGOs, namely in working with data, clearly defined strategists goals and ensuring higher stability of the organization''s work team. In the field of data analysis, we will support the creators of measures and policies to use them in the most modern way, which will increase the effectiveness of policies in the field of integration, and at the same time will enable effective evaluation of established measures. Advocacy activities will use legal, data and expert analyzes to promote the introduction of control mechanisms in the field of employment of foreigners, to protect migrants from discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address several critical issues related to migration and integration policies in the Czech Republic. The primary challenges identified included:

1. Misalignment with Policy Objectives: The Czech Republic''s migration and integration policies were not implemented in accordance with the goals set out in strategic documents of a general nature. This led to a lack of respect for the rights of migrants and non-transparent rules
2. Centralized Integration Policy: The integration policy was centrally managed without considering the needs of relevant stakeholders, such as local governments and labor unions. This resulted in systemic violations of migrants'' rights in various areas, including health insurance and tightening of return and asylum legislation that did not comply with international obligations​
3. Labor Rights and Exploitation: The legal framework significantly weakened the position and rights of labor migrants. The growing influence of employers in setting rules for labor migration led to the exploitation, marginalization, and criminalization of migrant workers​
4. Structural Issues: The dominant role of the Ministry of the Interior, which prioritized a securitization approach, exacerbated the problems. Proposals that undermined basic human rights principles were repeatedly presented in asylum and return policy areas, often being overturned only by Constitutional Court rulings​
5. Public Xenophobia and Political Populism: Xenophobic public attitudes and political populism facilitated the negative developments in migration policy. The state did not adequately collect or utilize migration data, hindering effective policy-making and implementation​
6. Lack of Integration Capacity: Regions lacked sufficient integration capacities, leading to a growing number of unintegrated migrants, particularly those coming for short-term (circular) migration. Migrants could not enforce their labor rights due to their complete dependency on employers for residency​
7. Human Rights Violations: The Czech Republic violated basic rights of migrants, including the right to judicial review and protection against refoulement (forcible return). This situation increased security risks​

The project aimed to address these issues by improving migration policies and practices, ensuring better integration, protecting migrants'' rights, and using data effectively to inform policy decisions.

The project''s goal was to address above-mentioned issues by improving migration policies and practices, ensuring better integration, protecting migrants'' rights, and using data effectively to inform policy decisions. It did so in a variety of activities aimed at enhancing migration and integration policies and practices in the Czech Republic. The primary activities and outputs included:

1. Advocacy Activities: These activities aimed to protect the labor rights of migrants, improve their access to health insurance, and maintain human rights standards in asylum, migration, and return policies. The project created advocacy plans, identified and built contacts with various stakeholders, and disseminated simple and clear information. They also engaged in strategic litigation when necessary to support these efforts. Outputs included policy briefs, dissemination of legislative and policy recommendations, and engagement with key forums to promote these changes .
2. Data Analysis and Utilization: The project supported policymakers and stakeholders in using data more intensively, leading to more effective integration policies and allowing for the effective evaluation of implemented measures. Activities included data collection, analysis, and the creation of recommendations for monitoring and safely reporting labor rights violations among migrants .
3. Stakeholder Collaboration: The project established functional collaborations with various stakeholders such as trade unions, industry associations, and local government councils. This included creating cooperation plans and identifying common interests to enhance integration efforts.
4. Strengthening Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): This involved bolstering the functioning of the applicant and partner organizations in areas such as strategic planning, employee education, and securing funding for migrant services from structural funds. Specific outputs included the creation and implementation of strategic plans for SIMI and the Consortium, as well as the development of an educational plan for OPU employees, which included training for management staff. This activity aimed to ensure greater efficiency and stability of NGOs working with migrants .

These activities collectively aimed to foster a pro-integration environment in Czech society, protect the rights of migrants, and prevent the erosion of human rights standards related to migration.

Improved Access to Health Insurance:

• Outcomes: Legislative and practical changes were achieved to improve migrants'' access to health insurance. This included ensuring that particularly vulnerable groups among migrants received better healthcare services.
• Beneficiaries: Migrants, especially vulnerable groups, who gained improved access to health insurance and healthcare services​

Data-Driven Policy Making:

• Outcomes: Relevant stakeholders and NGO representatives were trained to collect, analyze, and utilize data more effectively. This led to the creation of more evidence-based policies and measures in the area of migration and integration.
• Beneficiaries: Policymakers and stakeholders who could make more informed decisions, leading to better integration policies and practices; CSOs ​and NGOs who could work more with relevant data sources 

Increased Collaboration with Stakeholders:

• Outcomes: The project facilitated functional partnerships with key actors and stakeholders (e.g. trade unions, local governments, ministries). This collaboration and networking helped in advocacy efforts and the creation of policies that are more aligned with the needs of migrants. 
• Beneficiaries: Migrant-focused NGOs and their partners, as well as migrants themselves who benefited from more coherent and supportive integration policies​

Strategic Litigation and Advocacy:

• Outcomes: Through strategic litigation and advocacy, the project managed to prevent the deterioration of human rights standards in migration and asylum laws. This included legal actions and policy recommendations to safeguard the rights of migrants.
• Beneficiaries: Migrants whose rights were better protected through improved legislation and advocacy efforts​

Response to Crisis Situations:

• Outcomes: In the course of the project, the project had to deal with several crises - most importantly the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis. The project adapted its activities to address immediate needs, such as (for example) providing guidance on COVID-19 measures to migrant communities, or participating in establishing the Permanent Commission for the Adaptation and Integration of Ukrainian Refugees and Strengthening Social Cohesion. The situation of the Ukrainian refugees was very much reflected in the project advocacy activities.
• Beneficiaries: Migrants affected by the pandemic, the Ukrainian and other crises, who received timely support and guidance, were targeted by campaigns; stakeholders who benefited from improved coordination and response strategies​

Capacity Building of NGOs:

• Outcomes: The project strengthened the capacity of NGOs working with migrants by providing training, developing strategic plans, and ensuring greater stability and efficiency in their operations.
• Beneficiaries: NGOs such as SIMI, the Consortium, and OPU, which were better equipped to support migrants and advocate for their rights​

Overall, the project significantly improved the protection, integration, and rights of migrants in the Czech Republic by fostering a more supportive policy environment and enhancing the capacities of organizations and stakeholders involved in migration issues.