Czech Republic on the verge of its capacity to handle more refugees

Prague, March 17 (ČTK) - Based on previous migration waves, the Czech Republic has nearly reached its capacity for the number of refugees it can absorb.

Speaking at a press briefing following an emergency meeting of the government today, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that there are currently 270,000 refugees in Czechia who have fled "hostilities" at home.

The PM expressed concern that the country would soon reach its capacity for handling a greater influx of people displaced by war. "We have to admit that we are at the very limit of being able to absorb them without major problems," Fiala said.

He said that the country must continue taking steps to help cope with the potentially high number of arrivals. The PM mentioned reinforcing legislation that regulates visas, welfare, education, and employment of the refugees as the most important measure.

The government has agreed on contributions for accommodation and the Regional Development Ministry is preparing subsidies that would support municipal authorities in acquiring and reconstructing flats, he added.

According to earlier models from past migration waves, the Czech Republic may absorb a number of refugees that corresponds with 2 percent of the population. This means over 200,000 people.

Fiala said the Czech Republic was one of the arrivals' countries of destination and one of the countries coping best with the migration wave.

The Czech Republic has the largest number of registered arrivals per population, with the Interior Ministry issuing about 180,000 special visas so far.

Children account for over one-half of the arrivals and women make up four-fifths of the adult refugee population.

While Ukrainians represent a significant minority population in the Czech Republic, many have returned home to fight.

Many businesses provide the families of their Ukrainians employees with benefits and employers are offering vacancies.

After the debated legislation is enacted, the refugees with special visas will have free access to the Czech labor market and will not need a work permit.

Integration experts say the Czech Republic should use the arrivals' education and skills.