1. MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (32 votes)
for its exceptionaly effective prevention of the integration of (mostly) work migrants

2. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (20 votes)
for the European Refugee Fund

3. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (15 votes)
for their flabby attitude toward the inclusion of pupils and students from third countries into the Czech educational system

4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (7 votes)
for its system of teaching Czech, and examinations for foreigners as a condition for granting permanent residency

5. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (4 votes)
for its system of issuing and re-issuing identity cards to asylum seekers

6. MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (1 vote)
for the European Integration Fund

1. THE FOREIGN POLICE IN PRAGUE – Koněvova (90 votes)
for its general attitude to foreigners and quality of service

2. THE TOWN OF BLANSKO (22 votes)
for its "reservation systme" in local restaurants

1. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
for its system of teaching Czech, and examinations for foreigners as a condition for granting permanent residency

When considering this nomination, we have to appreciate the indolence and flabbiness which the Ministry has demonstrated throughout its (almost two-year long) preparations of the “system”. The attitude was highlighted by their unwillingness to enter into timely and relevant communication with the professional community. It is well-known that the professional community is, unlike the Ministry, quite well prepared for the issue.

2. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
for its system of issuing and re-issuing identity cards to asylum seekers

In this case we appreciate the newly introduced system, which was supposed to help asylum seekers get their documents faster and more easily, and which was meant to give them independence from the whims of foreign police. Asylum holders are now obliged to report all changes to (and request issuing of) the asylum holder’s residence permit at the OAM MV in Prague, or at a refugee camp, regardless of their place of residence and social situation. Furthermore, this system depends on a single person. If the responsible staff becomes ill, no changes can be made. This highly original and practical solution truly deserves the nomination.

3. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
for their flabby attitude toward the inclusion of pupils and students from third countries into the Czech educational system

One of the hot candidates once again proves its readiness to avoid conceptual solutions at any cost. The nomination was given for the fact that there is no systemic, financial or methodological support for schools educating the children of foreigners. The strength of the nomination is supported by another, related reason for this “schooling service”, in which we appreciate the bravado with which Ministry consistently denied the existence of the problem, and than tried, with no haste or skill, to solve its sudden and abundant presence through the de facto preclusion of all schooling services for children of foreigners.

4. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
for the European Refugee Fund

The now annual backstage hit among non profits in integration is called ERF. The difficulties connected to its administration are legendary. Whether these have been mended or not remains a mystery to be witnessed by a select few, or the chosen ones, as nowadays it is next to impossible to receive their funding. This is particularly true in the area of integrating asylum holders. In 2007, the ERF reached unprecedented levels of non-transparency regarding its goals, focus and method of evaluating projects. This in turn lead to non-transparency in the support provided in the area of integrating foreigners.

5. MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
for the European Integration Fund

The following nomination is also very interesting and highly deserved. It goes to the program which was not even launched in 2007, which is enough to justify its nomination. What else needs be said? Maybe that a call has not been published yet, but might be, some day soon…….

6. MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
for its exceptionaly effective prevention of the integration of (mostly) work migrants

In this case, we can appreciate the level of “care” for work migrants, which these Ministries carry out using a sophisticated set of tools. These include, above all others, the so-called protection of the labor market, visa regulations and intermediary agencies. From the point the view of the integration of foreigners, the conduct most particularly horrifying is the total adherence to the requirements made by industrial and employers’ lobby. This results in entire enclaves of foreigners working in the Czech Republic who are completely cut off of any information or educational service and who are being kept totally dependent on their employers. Furthermore, certain regions can already boast raising anti-immigration sentiments on the side of the majority population.

1. THE TOWN OF BLANSKO
for its "reservation systme" in local restaurants

Blansko is the hometown of a uniquely selective reservation system. The principle of the system is that all tables in restaurants have a “reserved” sign. However, Czechs can sit anywhere at anytime. The Mongolians living and working in Blansko cannot, as all seats are reserved. This is probably an attempt to help Mongolians save a bit of the meager wages they make in jobs the locals will not accept. This is a very creative policy which certainly deserves your vote.

2. THE FOREIGN POLICE IN PRAGUE – Koněvova
for its general attitude to foreigners and quality of service

The Prague Foreign Police (and actually the entire FP) is a phenomenon in itself. It is quite fascinating that, despite the move from Olšanská to the new offices in Koněvova, it has managed to keep its infamous practices functioning. The nomination is given for its general attitude and quality of service, enhanced by the so-called ticketing system, designed to provide a means of support for the ticket mafia. We also appreciate the long-term negative representation of the Czech Republic abroad.

The Ministry of Interior chose the Nigerian husband as the villain of the publication Background Material of MI CR for discussing amendments to the laws on asylum and foreigners’ residency (parliament print 191). This is a masterpiece choice: the phrase is clear, catchy and sufficiently frightening. As our colleague Pavel Čižinský put it: “This character, in marriage migration, can possibly become a symbol as potent as the Polish plumber in the area of EU free movement”. This nomination requires no further comments and gains the jury’s special mention.

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