Tackling discrimination in the labour market outside of national legislation

Ad-hoc actions are in place to tackle and reduce discrimination in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Tackling discrimination in the labour market is not a central concern among stakeholders, perhaps because the number of immigrants is low and they have relatively lower unemployment rates. Compared to other regions the South Moravian region has higher numbers of immigrants and this has initiated policy responses. The Targeted Long-term Integration Support for Foreigners from Third Countries in the South Moravian Region (2011 - 2015) is a unique strategy within the Czech Republic. There is also the South Moravian Regional Centre to Support the Integration of Foreigners, which promotes the integration of immigrants.

Most of the initiatives to better integrate immigrants into the labour market evolve from the national level. The Updated Policy for Integration of Immigrants - Living Together (2011) report provides the policy framework for the equal treatment of immigrants and is monitored by the Labour Inspectorate. There are European Social Fund projects for promoting equal opportunities in all sectors by gathering good practice and raising awareness which is carried out by local employers and NGOs. In order to address skills mismatches, the Czech Republic is looking more towards attracting highly skilled foreign workers and for greater worker mobility by Czech citizens. Conditions for working were liberalised in order to make it easier to grant work and residence permits for qualified (secondary education/apprenticeship) and highly qualified workers (higher education).