Questions and guidelines for safe working practices
Ten basic principles of safe work abroad
1.
Find out the exact information about the location of your accommodation and the exact description of any work in the place.
2.
Leave at home a copy of your employment contract and the address or contact details of the location of your accommodation in the foreign country.
3.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and a current photo at home.
4.
Make regular contact with a trusted person at home and maintain it.
5.
Always have your passport with you in the foreign country. Do not give it to strangers.
6.
If you are an EU citizen, an ID card is also valid in EU countries - take it with your passport.
7.
If possible, have your salary paid to your account, not in cash.
8.
Do not accept any gifts or loans from the intermediary (employer).
9.
Monitor changes in the behaviour of the intermediary (employer) - e.g., a sudden change in the date of departure, postponement of formalities indefinitely, pressure to accept further changes, etc.
10.
Bring the contact details of your embassy, emergency phone numbers for the foreign country, and contact details for support NGOs.
How do you find out that something is wrong with your job and/or employer?
They force you to do a job you don’t want to do.
You work in undignified conditions.
They took your documents.
You didn’t get paid.
They control where you go and who you meet.
They have hurt you.
They have deceived you.
They have threatened you.
Your employer has unjustifiably dismissed you.
Due to one or more of the above, you live in the Czech Republic illegally.
If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, you might have been a victim of human trafficking, or you are at risk of trafficking and exploitation. If you are a victim of exploitation and/or trafficking, we can provide you with crisis assistance, accommodation in our shelters, and professional social and legal assistance. Just call our La Strada SOS line.
Frequently asked questions
One way to get back the amount owed is to go to court, a journey which can be quite long and arduous. Another option is to contact your employer or the intermediary with a request for an amicable settlement of the debt. It is important to know that these options are always available - even if you have not signed a contract of employment. Write down all the information about your work, and we can help you prepare some documents for the recovery of unpaid wages.
Employment can be terminated only under precisely defined conditions. In general, your employer cannot dismiss you during your illness, and you are entitled to wage compensation and sick pay. If your employer has dismissed you unjustifiably, within two months you can file a lawsuit against him for invalid termination of employment.
These fees are paid by both the employee and the employer. In total, 34% of gross wages accounts for contributions, but only 4.5% of gross wages is deducted for health insurance and 6.5% for social insurance. You can find out the specific amount of your salary contributions at one of the on-line payroll calculators (https://portal.pohoda.cz).
An employer has no right to deduct money from an employee's salary above the limit set by the state.
It depends on whether it is paid or unpaid leave. You are entitled to a salary during paid leave. During unpaid leave, the salary is not paid, and the employee must take care of his health insurance payments (unless otherwise agreed with the employer).
Unpaid leave cannot be ordered, it can only happen at the request of the employee!
