Less money, but more benefits in kind for refugees. This is what many “Krone” readers demand in our major integration series. The Viennese can also imagine the payment card.
So far, the editors have received hundreds of emails – pages and pages of ideas on how to improve the integration of immigrants in Vienna. Not everyone only proposes cuts. The letters contain numerous measures, such as that of a reader who wishes to remain anonymous and sees equality in Austria ‘torpedoed’ by certain refugees.
His recommendation: “I suggest that male immigrants should have open conversations with women for several months. These can be either trained female professionals or highly integrated women from their original home countries. Maybe you can break through fears, prejudices or deeply ingrained thought patterns.”
What is the reason for the many emails? Councilor and deputy mayor for Integration Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos) wants to redefine the rules for immigrants, also with “clear consequences”. As part of this, he asks our readers, “How can integration work?”
Of course, social security is also a problem. “More benefits in kind instead of cash benefits,” demands Marianne O. “Every non-working foreigner must be shown how much he costs the community every month.” Reader KJ: “Work or volunteer from day one! There is plenty to do. Especially in the social sector, in rescue, care, infrastructure. They can learn German straight away.”
“Save a lot of crime”
“Work permit!”, Katrin G also demands. “Give people the opportunity to work for their money. This way you can definitely save yourself a lot of crime. Education should be mandatory for young people in any case. A learning process must be learned.”
“In addition, the control of social benefits must work more closely together,” writes Beatrice W. “There are grievances, such as apartments that supposedly separated families also receive from the city. These are then rented out lucratively.”
Although social councilor Peter Hacker of the SPÖ is against it, many Viennese demand a payment card instead of cash for refugees. As S. B: “Social benefits should only be paid in the form of a bank card, which can only be used in certain places. This means that fraud on a large scale is no longer possible.”
Anyone who refuses to integrate completely should also lose their rights, Patrick S. says in his email: “Did someone make themselves comfortable in a hammock and not learn the language? Removal of all benefits except what is required by human law.”
Dear readers, how can integration work? Send emails with your ideas to: wien@kronenzeitung.at. Or to Kronen Zeitung, editorial office Vienna, Muthgasse 2, 1190 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.
