The Upper Austrian ÖVP considers the much-criticized introduction of a payment card justified after the publication of a recent UN study (Migrant Mobility Situation Report). 65 percent of migrants cite “economic reasons” for emigrating.
The results of a migrant survey in the Western Balkans, now published by the UN, show that 65 percent of refugees surveyed cited “economic reasons” as their reason for moving to Central Europe from their previous country of residence.
72 percent of migrants also stated that they had chosen their destination country independently due to “attractive socio-economic conditions” (30 percent) or based on “recommendations from friends or relatives” (42 percent).
VP regional manager Florian Hiegelsberger sees the study as a complete confirmation of Upper Austria’s approach to introducing a payment card for asylum seekers: “With the payment card we are sending out a signal: we will not tolerate the asylum system being abused to meet economic considerations.”
Social offering as a pull factor
Asylum is protection from persecution – and only for the duration of a demonstrable threat. Hiegelsberger: “The UN study shows once again that social systems are a pull factor in the migration movement.”
Given the results, the criticism of the SPÖ, Greens and NEOS in Upper Austria is incomprehensible. “While the SPÖ, Greens and NEOS are again only criticising, their sister parties in Germany have long since recognised that reducing abuse is the right way to go – and they are also pushing the payment card there themselves,” Hiegelsberger emphasises.
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.
