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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Shocking portrayal
I read about the protest of the ambassador and I was very shocked ["Israeli ambassador protests ads," News, Feb. 2-8]. I do think the TV spot, which I have not seen, is not so innocent and that some people may adopt this as a generality for Jews. My mother spent one year in concentration camps. In respect of all who died during that period, it would be a good thing for all this anti-Semitism to disappear forever. One may dream.
J.L. CohenMarseille, France
On stereotypes
The best thing to do if you don't like an advert is not buy the product, or tell other people not to buy it. Protest something, but don't censor it ["The fine line of OK and bad stereotypes," Postview, Feb. 2-8].
Furthermore, the stereotype is true. Having grown up in such a family, and knowing other Jews my whole life, I would say 95 percent of them have always shown "thriftiness" to be important to them. This is something we are taught, usually by example. In this case, the "stereotype" wasn't trying to be negative, rather it was playing on the fact that Jews know how to shop, and find the best deals. Not to mention, if such an ad portrayed Roma [Gypsies] in such a manner, no one would say a word.
Avraham RachmealPrague
Taxi defense
The avalanche of complaints in The Prague Post about bad taxi drivers gives the impression that the fleets are conducted by ill-mannered and cheating individuals and that the law of the jungle dictates the fees ["Taxi terror," Letters, Feb. 2-8]. In my experience, that's not the case. I am a regular user of taxis, especially those with the AAA organization. I have never been cheated. Most of the drivers try to understand my poor Czech and are proud to show their ability in a foreign language. I may be lucky, but I believe the vast majority of my taxi drivers are hardworking individuals who serve well at very reasonable fees at any moment of the day or night. To all those men and women I offer my sincere thanks.
Jaap AardsePrague 7
The rest of the story
It is a pity that in your story on the misfortunes of a number of people seeking work in the UK, you did not approach the British Embassy for information ["Cruel Britannia," News, Feb. 2-8]. "Cruel Britannia" is hardly a fair representation of the British government's policy toward migrant workers from the new EU countries. It also does a disservice to Czech job seekers by failing to make it clear that they do not necessarily need to use recruitment agencies to find a genuine job in the UK.
On May 1, 2004, the UK fully opened its labor market to citizens of the new EU member states. Czechs are free to go to the UK and look for a job, but they must have the means to support themselves there until they find one (they are not automatically entitled to benefits). Having found work, the only requirement is that they register as a legal worker under the Workers Registration Scheme. This protects workers by requiring evidence that they are being paid at least the minimum wage and it entitles the registered worker to certain in-work benefits. Employers failing to register migrant workers could be fined heavily.
Depending on the circumstances of the cases mentioned in your article, individuals could find protection under the Asylum and Immigration Act of 2004. This makes it an offense for a person to facilitate the arrival in the UK of a passenger if he intends to exploit the passenger in the UK or elsewhere, or believes that another person is likely to do so. The passenger does not have to arrive illegally for the offense to be committed. The offense is also committed if a person facilitates the passenger's travel within the UK for the purpose of exploitation.
The British government is keen to ensure all workers have appropriate rights and protection. Legal migrant workers in the UK have exactly the same rights as their indigenous equivalents. The government is aware that migrant workers may face difficulties in asserting their rights. It is exploring various ways of ensuring that workers are informed of the implications of working in the UK, including access to statutory employment rights. The British Embassy is preparing information for distribution in the Czech Republic which will explain these rights.
In the meantime there is already a mass of useful information about living and working in the UK, including the Workers Registration Scheme, in English and Czech, on the British Embassy Web site at www.britain.cz.
Peter WickendenHead of press and public affairs, British Embassy in Prague
Super apology
I would like to apologize to Prague's American-football fans for the unfortunate broadcast interruption at the Zlata Hvezda sports bar during the Super Bowl Feb. 7. I recently learned the outage was caused by our power distributor and they take full responsibility. Nevertheless, I apologize for this inconvenience. I hope to see you back at Zlata Hvezda soon.
Alexandr Novansky, ownerZlata HvezdaPrague 1
What about letters!?
Did the editor die? No new letters to the editor have been posted for weeks -- no, it could now be months!
Fred KolovratSyracuse, New York
Editor's Note: Dead? Not just yet! Actually, we published a selection of letters in our Feb. 2-8 issue. The Prague Post believes passionately that newspapers have a role as a forum for public discussion.
As such, we will remain committed to publishing readers' letters as often as possible.
Letters policy
Letters intended for publication should contain the writer's name,
signature and full address. E-mail may be sent to
letters@praguepost.com.
- Unless otherwise
specified, e-mails will be considered approved for publication.
- Please
provide a daytime telephone number.
- Letters are subject to discretionary editing for length and style.
- Brief
letters are preferred.
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