Prague - Three-quarters of construction companies operating in the Czech market agree that companies in the construction industry employ foreigners without the necessary permits. This is evident from a survey conducted by KPMG. According to data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 37 percent of foreign employees work illegally in the Czech Republic. The largest number of them works in construction, but the ministry does not have precise data available. "The need for workers in the construction industry is significant; moreover, there is greater anonymity in this sector, making illegal work harder to monitor," commented the director of the Foreign Employment Department of the MPSV, Miloš Tichý. A similar opinion is held by Komerční Banka analyst Eva Zamrazilová. "Construction companies resort to illegal employment of foreigners not only due to financial advantages but also because there is a significant shortage of qualified labor in the domestic labor market," Zamrazilová stated. According to Next Finance analyst Markéta Šichtařová, reducing administrative burdens would improve the situation. "Imposing administrative barriers on the Czech side for the employment of foreigners makes no sense. Total legalization of their work would allow for further expansion in construction, where there is currently a shortage of labor," Šichtařová expressed regarding the issue. The MPSV also admits the complicated and lengthy administration involved in employing foreigners from non-EU member states. The institution wants to link the application for a work permit with the application for long-term residence in the form of so-called green cards in the future. The legislative proposal should be presented next year. Currently, there are 46,318 foreigners employed in the construction industry in the Czech Republic. More foreign employees work only in the manufacturing industry (76,311 workers). The number of foreign workers in construction in the Czech Republic has continually increased in recent years, rising by more than 10,000 since 2005. According to economists, this is due not only to significant growth in this sector but also to the migration of Czech workers. "Employers hire foreigners because there is a significant shortage of qualified labor in the Czech Republic. This is caused not only by the boom in the sector but also by the departure of the workforce from the Czech Republic," Zamrazilová stated, noting that countries like Ireland are very welcoming to Czech construction professions. The influx of foreign workers into the Czech Republic employed in construction will likely come to an end soon. "Foreigners will stop coming to the Czech Republic for work because they will find enough at home or seek it in other countries. For example, Ukraine is experiencing a construction boom, and Russia offers better wages, less administration, and a more friendly environment," said František Polák, spokesperson for the construction company Metrostav. The largest number of foreigners working in Czech construction comes from Ukraine, accounting for 51 percent of the total. Another significant group consists of Slovaks at 14 percent, followed by Poles (ten percent) and Russians (eight percent).
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