To combat unemployment in Austria, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler is calling for a job guarantee for the long-term unemployed. This must be achieved with a mix of measures. He received demonstrative applause from trade unionist Josef Muchitsch, who had recently expressed internal party criticism. Babler also receives support from completely unusual sources.
Babler demanded on Thursday that anyone who has been unemployed for more than a year should be offered a job. This makes sense not only out of respect for individual people, but also from an economic perspective. He accused the government of doing nothing to prevent rising unemployment.
SPÖ boss wants to double campaign 20,000
Babler outlined the SPÖ ideas, and a concrete model will follow in the coming weeks: Action 20,000, which was abolished by the turquoise blue government, must be revived, but this time 40,000 long-term unemployed must be brought back into the labor market. These can perform useful activities, for example in schools, post offices or during renovation work, says Babler.
At the same time, Vienna’s “50+” job offensive should be expanded to other cities. For long-term unemployed people over the age of 50, full wage costs and additional wage costs are reimbursed if they start working. Thirdly, it will be examined how the AMS model project of a state job guarantee for the long-term unemployed in Gramatneusiedl, Lower Austria, can be rolled out across the board.
Christian union members agree with Babler
Babler’s suggestions should be understood as a response to the People’s Party, which wants to reduce unemployment benefits. It is better to “fight unemployment instead of fighting the unemployed, as we now see with the government and especially with the ÖVP,” Babler said. He received unusual support from the ÖVP-affiliated faction of Christian trade unionists (FCG) in the GPA. Chairman Wolfgang Pischinger opposed the ÖVP proposal to reduce indirect labor costs and spoke of “a dangerous discussion”. A reduction would endanger social security.
Muchitsch: “We need quick measures”
The “fight against unemployment needs quick measures, such as those presented today by the SPÖ,” powerful trade unionist Josef Muchitsch said on Thursday about Babler’s proposals. In doing so, he demonstratively supported his party leader, after he had recently criticized his course.
“Babiler managed to capture the left half. But the great goal cannot be achieved with it,” the social spokesperson of the SPÖ and chairman of the FSG told the Kleine Zeitung. He spoke out in favor of a more business-oriented positioning for Babler and the party. Because: “Andi should not be seen as a bogeyman of the economy,” Muchitsch warned.
Babler: “Strategy works”
Babler responded on the sidelines of the press conference in Vienna: “Why would you change a strategy that works?” As in his speech on Ash Wednesday, he defended the wealth tax. The party has not shown sufficient ‘advantage’ in the past and wants to strengthen the profile of the SPÖ again. “It will take time for everyone to get used to it,” Babler says. When journalists asked why the party didn’t do something like that by telephone, away from the public, the party leader replied: “You have to ask the person who didn’t call.”
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.
