Prague, July 7 (CTK) – Foreigners staying in the Czech Republic illegally will be able to join a project of voluntary returns home as from September, Hana Mala, from the Interior Ministry press department, told CTK Tuesday.
The ministry will start an information campaign at the turn of July and August, Mala said.
Until now only foreigners with a residence permit who have lost work in the country due to the economic crisis have been able to make use of the offer.
Mala said the illegally staying foreigners will not be punished if they join the prepared one-off campaign.
Unlike returning foreigners with a residence permit, the foreigners staying illegally in the country will not receive any financial bonus to start with at home.
According to the People in Need organisation, some 300,000 illegals stay in the Czech Republic.
The campaign for foreigners illegally staying in the Czech Republic will last three months and any number of people can participate in it.
The project of voluntary returns has continued since February 16. It is aimed at lowering the risk of crime related to the loss of job.
In the first stage of the campaign the foreigners get 500 euros to start with at home, in the second stage only 400 euros.
Maximally 2000 foreigners can apply for return in each stage.
