The implementation of certain measures against the spread of the coronavirus has resulted in the suspension or restriction of the operations of manufacturing plants in the Czech Republic. In connection with this, foreign employees who work for a Czech employer on the basis of work permits and Schengen visas for the purpose of employment are being laid off in some locations. Such employees are thus vulnerable to a situation in which they are without income, without housing and, due to restricted cross-border movement of persons, also without the possibility of returning to their home countries.
The government has responded to this problem with a new regulation and has enabled, with effect from 20 March 2020, an accelerated process of changing employers for employee-card and blue-card holders if the new employer is involved in the implementation of crisis measures. It suffices to provide notification of the change on the date of entering a new job. The notification must be accompanied by a declaration from the new employer describing its involvement in the implementation of crisis measures such as activities in the area of healthcare or manufacturing of protective equipment.
For the period of duration of the state of emergency, so the government approves an exemption from the prohibition of changing employers in the first six months following the issuance of a card. Employee-card holders remain obligated to notify the Ministry of the Interior of a change of employer in accordance with the statutory conditions. More information for foreigners is available at www.mvcr.cz.