RESETTLEMENT OF BURMESE REFUGEES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

RESETTLEMENT OF BURMESE REFUGEES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC „Refugee Resettlement in the EU: Towards a Concerted and Sustainable Commitment“ Brussels 10 July 2013 Petr NOVÁK Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic

A NEW WAY OF SUPPORT Burma is among the priority countries of the Czech Republic´s foreign policy Former President Václav Havel nominated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for Nobel Peace Prize Long-term support for Burmese democratic movement Czech government´s decision to join the Resettlement Programme (June 2008)

FACTS & FIGURES Czech Republic joins the UN Resettlement Programme in June 2008. In Oct 2008 & Feb 2009: Burmese refugees (9 families – 42 persons) from Malaysia - Chin ethnics In July – Aug 2010: Burmese refugees (8 families of 39 persons - 4 families from Malaysia, 4 families from Thailand) of ethnic groups: Chin, Karen, Kachin, Tavoyan In Dec 2012 : Burmese refugees (7 families of 25 person) from Malaysia – Kachin and Chin ethnics Total number at present – 25 families of 118 persons (including 1 new marriage and 13 new born babies in CZ) 3

CHALLENGES OF HOUSING 25 families in 17 different municipalities Social assistance - local municipality takes that responsibility for 6 months, NGO for next 6 months For refugees it is not easy to establish a community Difficult to facilitate religious needs of refugees (majority Czech population – atheists or of different denomination) High unemployment rate in the regions Barriers for social integration (homogenous Czech society, social and cultural differences, different mentality - refugees hesitate to make first steps)

CHALLENGES OF HOUSING 2008/2009 2010/2011 2012/2013 Ústí nad Labem Brandýs n. L. Poděbrady Praha Oseček Vysoké Mýto Kutná Hora Chrast Zruč n. S. Havlíčkův Brod Přibyslav Nové Město n. M. Černá Hora Vsetín Bohdalice Zlín Židlochovice Hluk Bzenec

EMPLOYMENT & LANGUAGE High unemployment rate in the regions where refugees are accommodated About 400 CZ language lessons paid by government (intensive classes in the Integration and Asylum Centre (IAS) and individual lessons through the State Integration Programme (SIP) → basic communication Low level of local language knowledge, poor education, low professional skills or no evidence of previous work experience of resettled refugees → low qualified job

EMPLOYMENT & LANGUAGE Thanks to the municipalities and labour offices (with unemployment subsidy from state) – most of the refugees have got „VPP“ - publicly beneficiary jobs (mostly municipality maintenance work – cleaning streets, public gardening) 6 months to 1 year A few job opportunities at private companies (furniture companies, farm, gardening) or municipality services Present challenges: 10 unemployed, 4 mothers about 7 to end their maternity leaves

NEW START Registration at offices/school/doctors, etc. Getting acquainted with new neighbourhood Starting a new job Continuing language lessons Creating new social contacts Assistance provided by officials from all local municipalities, NGOs (Organization for Aid to Refugees – OPU, Burma Center Prague), churches (Evangelic, Catholic, Baptist), individuals (neighbours, language teachers, volunteers)

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN Limited language skills achieved – no more special language classes for children after moving to flats apart from classes at some schools (depending on the possibilities of individual schools) Low education or lesser quality education of refugee children before arrival Lack of evidence about gained education in home country – a problem to get nostrification/official acknowlegement Age (limited to attend primary school) Secondary education – marks from completed primary education, entry exams, skill tests In some case, only possibility to attend „special or practical“ schools for handicapped or socially weak children

SOCIAL CONTACTS Different mentality and cultural background Not yet sufficient language skills to make new friends Difficult to understand the local customs (diet, dress, child care, work style, etc. ) Refugees hesitate to make first steps Czech society – homogenous, little experience with foreigners, limited knowledge about Burma Local people confuse Burmese refugees with other Asian migrants

Thank you for your attention Petr NOVÁK Unit for Policy and Analyses Head of Group for Integration of Refugees Phone: +420 974 832 468 Fax: +420 974 833 514 E-mail: petr. novak@mvcr. cz MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC Dep. for Asylum and Migration Policy P. O. Box 21/OAM 170 34 Prague 7 © Photo‘s: Pavel Dymeš