The Czech Republic has set up a new programme meant to encourage migrants from Nigeria, Iraq, Mongolia, Russia and Vietnam to leave their country and not return.
A local newspaper, Remix, reports that anyone who voluntarily leaves the country and promises not to return not only to the Czech Republic but to the European Union would be eligible for the money.
The programme, tagged Returns is supposed to help them fund transportation costs and integration in their countries of origin, including accommodation, household equipment or domestic animal expenses.
The Interior Minister, Jan Hamáček, announced it will be suitable for all categories of foreigners, those who are legally in the country, illegals and asylum seekers as well.
Allocation for the programme amounts to 60 million Czech Koruna (€2.3m), 75 per cent of which is to be covered from the European Asylum, migration and integration fund.
Each individual could get funds ranging between 40,000 Kč and 100,000 Kč. First funded returns should be processed in the third quarter of 2019, the report said.
Similar programmes are already underway in other European states and they aim to encourage migrants who are unwanted in the respective countries and would not be granted asylum to leave.
Statistically, only 40 per cent of rejected asylum seekers are deported from the EU. And while the allocation will be a burden for the taxpayers, the cost is by far less than deportation would.
The minister noted that especially detention of illegals is extremely costly, which goes hand-in-hand with administrative procedures and healthcare expenses.
