Austrian refugee agents want to force asylum seekers to do community service. They decided this on Wednesday together with Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) in Carinthia. It is now the turn of the Ministry of the Interior to develop a corresponding model. For example, consider working in the neighborhood or in non-profit organizations.
“People also have an obligation to the country that hosts them,” says Upper Austrian refugee representative Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP). Nonprofit work would improve acceptance in neighborhood communities and contribute to inclusion.
There have already been several initiatives and suggestions regarding mandatory community service for asylum seekers. The current arrangement provides for work in the district or on behalf of states and municipalities, but not for work in non-profit organizations, for example. The decision to expand the scheme was taken unanimously on Wednesday. The Ministry of the Interior should develop a corresponding model.
Perspective for Ukrainian refugees
Hattmannsdorfer also advocated giving refugees from Ukraine a perspective to remain in the labor market after the period of the Displaced Persons Regulation. In Upper Austria, only half of refugees receive basic services. In any case, the representatives of the federal states agreed that the status of displaced persons, which was due to expire in March, should be extended for a year. However, this requires appropriate decisions at EU level.
Another focus of the conference on Wednesday was the maximum cost rates for refugee care. Currently, a daily rate of 95 euros is paid for the care of unaccompanied minors. In the future, this should be increased to 112 or 130 euros in child and youth welfare services (including a better care ratio). For ‘people with special healthcare needs’, i.e. asylum seekers with disabilities, sick people or people in need of care, the monthly reimbursement of costs should be increased from 2,480 euros to 3,360 euros.
In the coming months, the countries want to examine the recently presented new Vienna model, which is based on real costs. “The goal is for other federal states to join this model,” Karner said. However, we are dealing with a complex matter and the situation is not the same in Vienna and the other federal states. The next conference for refugee speakers is scheduled for December in Vienna.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
