The state of labor rights of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic: threats and advice in case of their violation
After the full-scale Russian invasion began, millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and head west in search of protection, safety, and work opportunities. The Czech Republic became one of the countries that accepted the most Ukrainian refugees relative to the number of its own population. However, intensive employment, as research shows, does not always go hand in hand with guarantees of labor rights. On the contrary, the majority of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic work in vulnerable, stressful and not always protected conditions. This review makes it possible to assess both the positive dynamics of integration and the risks that Ukrainians face on the Czech labor market.
Employment dynamics: high indicators with ambiguous consequences
According to the results research “Voices of Ukrainians”, published by the Center for the Study of Public Opinion of the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as of 2025, about 80% of economically active Ukrainian refugees are employed in the Czech Republic. This is a significant jump compared to 60% in 2023. The Minister of Labor of the Czech Republic, Marian Yurechka, confirmed that more than 122,000 Ukrainians are currently actively employed, and the contributions they pay to the state budget already exceed the amount of social assistance they receive.
According to Yurechka, the Czech Republic was able to effectively integrate Ukrainian refugees thanks to a combination of factors: high demand for labor, the lowest level of unemployment in the EU and a reduction in the amount of social benefits, which stimulated an active entry into the market. At the same time, as the German deputy Sepp Müller emphasized, against the background of the fact that only 9% of Ukrainian refugees are employed in Germany, the Czech Republic demonstrates an exceptional example of adaptation policy.
The success of the Czech Republic in the integration of Ukrainians in the labor market is recognized at the level of the European Union. However, this does not remove key challenges. The study emphasizes that an important role is played by:
— access to language courses and professional re-certification;
— informing about rights and protection mechanisms;
— control over compliance with labor legislation in the private sector;
— psychological support and prevention of emotional burnout.
The question of the future is also an important factor. Many Ukrainians do not plan to return in the near future, and this means the need for a full-fledged long-term integration strategy.
Real working conditions: financial stress and loss of professional status
Despite high employment rates, the working conditions of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic are far from ideal. According to the same sociological data, 62% of employed Ukrainian refugees faced difficult conditions. Almost half of the respondents (47%) feel constant financial pressure and lack of funds, more than a third (37%) work in unstable conditions — short-term contracts, seasonal work, lack of a stable schedule. A third (33%) do not have adequate legal or social protection.
A separate problem is the decrease in qualification status: many Ukrainians work in jobs that do not correspond to their education and experience. For example, specialists with higher education are forced to perform physical work, maintain production, clean or pack goods. The salary in such cases is usually lower than the average in the Czech Republic.
This creates a paradox: formal integration in the labor market actually often means exploitation or at least a vulnerable position without real prospects for professional growth.
Legal and administrative conditions: what you should know
In the Czech Republic, there is a simplified access to work for persons who have received temporary protection: a work permit is not required, it is enough to have a refugee status document. The Ministry of Labor and non-governmental organizations actively distribute Ukrainian-language information about basic labor rights, the minimum wage, and the taxation procedure.
However, despite legislative guarantees, Ukrainians often do not know about their rights or do not have sufficient knowledge to protect them. Typical problems include:
— non-payment of wages;
— conclusion of fictitious or oral contracts;
— bypassing the minimum wage requirements;
— refusal of paid vacation or sick leave;
— dismissal without explanation and documentation;
— fear of job loss due to language, status or lack of alternatives.
Refugee rights groups have criticized the government for the fact that cuts to social assistance have forced many people to accept any conditions to avoid being left without a means of livelihood. This increased dependence on employers and increased the risks of exploitation.
What should Ukrainians in the Czech Republic do if their labor rights are violated
Ukrainians in the Czech Republic have the right to protection from exploitation and unfair treatment at work — regardless of language level, profession or status. If your rights are being violated, it’s important not to stay silent and take action. Below are specific steps you can take if you have problems at work.
- Record everything in writing
If you are being exploited, not being paid, or being forced to work overtime without compensation, keep:
– copies of the employment contract (even informal or oral agreements should be written down);
– correspondence with the employer (Viber, WhatsApp, e-mail);
– photos of report cards, schedules, any documents with signatures;
– records of the number of hours worked, going to work, amounts received, etc.
This is critical if you have to defend yourself officially.
- Do not sign documents you do not understand
If you are given something to sign in Czech, and you are not sure of the content, you have every right to refuse the translation. Do not allow “release by consent” or other documents under duress. Ask for a translation or consult a lawyer/translator.
- Contact the Labor Inspectorate (Státní úřad inspekce práce)
This is a state body that accepts complaints about employers. You can file a complaint:
– in person or by mail;
– online (available in Ukrainian or English);
– anonymously (although it is more effective – with a name).
Contacts and complaint form:
https://www.suip.cz
Email: podatelna@suip.cz
Hotline: +420 950 179 100
- Contact non-governmental organizations that help Ukrainians
A number of organizations in the Czech Republic provide free consultation on labor issues:
– SIMI (Association for Integration and Migration)
www.migrace.com
Email: poradna@migrace.com
– OPU (Organization for Aid to Refugees)
www.opu.cz
Free legal assistance is offered.
– META, o.p.s.
Specializes in the rights of migrant workers.
www.meta-ops.cz
Many of them have Ukrainian-speaking consultants or available translators.
- Get the unions involved
Trade unions in the Czech Republic are open to all workers, regardless of citizenship. If your company has a trade union, contact them. If not, you can consult with:
– ČMKOS (Czech Confederation of Trade Unions):
https://www.cmkos.cz
Unions can help protect your rights, file a collective grievance or go to court.
- Contact the human rights ombudsman
This is an official human rights institute that examines violations of labor rights, discrimination, and unequal treatment:
– www.ochrance.cz
– Email: podatelna@ochrance.cz
– Phone: +420 542 542 888
You can turn here in difficult cases, when other ways have not yielded results.
- In difficult cases, consult a lawyer
The Czech Republic has a system of free or partially paid legal aid for foreigners. Some lawyers cooperate with non-governmental organizations and provide assistance to Ukrainians free of charge.
You should know that even if you work informally, this does not deprive you of the right to protection. If you are being exploited, it is against the law and you have every right to defend yourself.
Consequently, the Czech Republic has demonstrated an exceptional ability to integrate Ukrainian refugees into its labor market. However, employment figures are not an indicator of decent work. Most Ukrainians currently working in the Czech Republic face financial stress, instability and lack of full legal protection. In order to avoid abuses, we need systematic support, real control over compliance with labor standards, and a consistent policy of social adaptation — not declarative, but practical. Ukrainians have the right not only to work, but also to decent work, and this should be enshrined not only in words, but in the conditions offered to them.
