Wednesday, 17 June 2026
The Czech Republic’s State Labour Inspection Office (SÚIP) identified 2,484 illegally employed workers during inspections in 2025, representing an increase of 550 cases, or more than 28 percent, compared with 2024.
According to SÚIP, labour inspectors carried out 21,146 inspections during the year, including 6,278 inspections specifically focused on detecting illegal employment. Illegal work was uncovered at 1,089 businesses across the country.
The largest group of illegally employed individuals consisted of third-country nationals, accounting for 1,673 cases, or 67.4 percent of the total. Citizens of the Czech Republic represented 714 cases (28.7 percent), while EU citizens accounted for 97 cases (3.9 percent), most commonly from Slovakia, Romania and Hungary.
Ukrainian nationals continued to make up the largest share of illegally employed foreign workers. According to SÚIP, they represented 57 percent of all illegally employed foreigners identified during inspections.
The highest number of violations was found in the construction sector, where inspectors identified illegal employment at 201 employers. Accommodation, catering and hospitality businesses followed with 185 employers, while the manufacturing sector accounted for 151 employers.
Smaller companies were most frequently involved in illegal employment practices, particularly businesses employing up to nine workers and those with between 10 and 49 employees.
Despite the increase in detected cases, the total value of fines imposed for illegal employment-related violations declined. SÚIP issued penalties exceeding CZK 134 million in 2025, compared with nearly CZK 164 million in the previous year.
SÚIP noted that investigations into illegal employment remain highly complex and resource-intensive. Inspectors often face limited cooperation from employers and workers, while some businesses attempt to complicate proceedings by submitting large volumes of unrelated documentation or shifting responsibility for workers to other entities through complex subcontracting arrangements.
Historical data show that the number of illegally employed workers fluctuates significantly from year to year. Following a decline to 1,934 cases in 2024, the figure rose again in 2025, although it remains below the peaks recorded in 2018 and 2019, when more than 4,300 cases were identified annually.
Source: CTK
