Intra-European Movement of Czechs with Special Regard to Austria and Care Givers (The "MICO" Type - Between MIgration and COmmuting)
Abstract
This chapter contributes to the discussion about newly identified trends in intra-European migration. It concerns the complexity of migration movements, higher differentiation of the migratory causes, and the increased involvement of female migrants.
Specifically, it focuses on an analysis of the migration of Czech care givers to Austria who make use of the Austrian 24 h system of care for elderly people. The system is based on a two-week rotation of care givers that enables migrant workers to move regularly between their home in Czechia and their work in Austria.
We call this movement, which lies somewhere between migration and commuting - "MICO". There are three main factors that contribute to creating this specific mobility mode: geographical proximity (between the two given countries), a repeated and stable short stay and return model, and a very busy working scheme that prevents workers from integrating into Austrian society.
Obviously, this type of movement has some transnational features related to economic domain/integration - namely circulation and remittances.