On Friday, 11 March, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that will, among other things, allow refugees from Ukraine to work on the basis of a special visa under temporary protection.
While until now Ukrainian refugees had to apply to the Labor Office for an individual employment permit after obtaining a refugee visa, the amendment removes this condition and vastly opens up the labor market for refugees. For the purposes of the Employment Act, a foreigner with temporary protection (i.e., a refugee) will be considered as a foreigner with permanent residence and therefore will no longer need a special work permit.
The bill has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is now awaiting consideration by the Senate and the signature of the President. If approved, which is highly likely, the law will come into force on 31 March and from that date onwards, employment of refugees will consequently no longer require a permit from the Labor Office.