Further training for employees costs half a billion. There is criticism that the system is misleading. The government is divided over the changes.
Educational leave costs the state 512 million euros. So the taxpayer. That was in 2023. The amounts have exploded in recent years. The demand is enormous, almost everything is honoured. As a computer scientist you would have to sign up for a diving course in the Seychelles or a yoga course in India to be rejected, says Carmen Treml smugly. The economist was involved in a corresponding investigation by Agenda Austria, which revealed the undesirable developments. This is reported by the “Krone”. And she calls for reforms to the overly expensive and inefficient model. There have already been reforms, but according to the agenda these were only to facilitate access.
“The requirements for type, duration and traceability need to be revised. In the future, it should be a condition that the measure at least complements or increases the labor market skills of the recipient,” says economist Treml. There is also a need for a central administrative office for uniform legal applications. Responsibility in this regard currently lies with the state offices of AMS.
Minister with reform plan, Greens against
The agenda passes the ball to the government. Only she could initiate reforms or changes in the law. Minister of Economy and Labor Martin Kocher (ÖVP) recognized some time ago that there was a certain need for adjustment and thought about it out loud. What does he say, given the current numbers?
“The Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs held discussions with social partners and developed a common understanding of the reform options, which were presented to the Greens. It is now up to the coalition partner to assess this,” the ÖVP politician lets the ball roll further. Once there, social spokesperson Markus Koza gives a clear answer. “Educational leave is a popular and successful measure. We are not available for ‘reforms’ that actually aim to reduce benefits.”
Nice transition and “Golden Handshake”
Originally intended for the less educated, it is mainly the highly educated who take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a kind of “sabbatical at the expense of the state”. Educational leave is also a boon for employers. Especially in difficult economic times, you can save personnel costs without having to throw away personnel. The state or AMS provides good financing. Up to a maximum of one year. You can reapply after four years.
A further training allowance applies for lost work income; the employer does not have to make a contribution. The amount of money corresponds to the notional unemployment benefit, namely 55 percent of the last average net monthly income.
It is not unusual, agenda economist Carmen Treml suspects, that educational leave is also used as a nice transition to a subsequent mutual termination. “Thanks to the ‘Golden Handshake’, the employment contract remains valid for several months without there being an active employment relationship. Both parties benefit.”
Conclusion: The educational leave is well intended, but rather poorly implemented. “Then I’m gone” may no longer be so easy to say in the near future.
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.
