Migration researcher Judith Kohlenberger analyzes the current situation of refugees in Austria in a krone.tv interview. How migration in Vienna works, for example. Or whether in the future only benefits in kind should be given to refugees instead of cash benefits: “What I am a bit skeptical about is to say that we no longer need any benefits or only very few benefits and want everything arrangements through benefits in kind. .”
Austria is a federal patchwork: “One state has a payment card, another has higher pocket money, and elsewhere lower pocket money. This is not ideal and obviously leads to some kind of competition within the federal territory. The states pass the refugees on to each other. The suffering state is Vienna, because Vienna is the only state that exceeds the quota for basic services.
Unused human capital
Whether it makes sense to continue paying social benefits mainly through cash transfers, or to switch to benefits in kind? Kohlenberger, pragmatic: “Certain everyday items can only be purchased with cash. For example, at schools where money is needed for school trips. This becomes difficult if everything is only arranged through benefits in kind. But you can discuss what the relationship between labor income and social benefits is like for refugees in Austria.”
When asked whether reading between the lines means that social benefits are too high, Kohlenberger replied: “Or the labor income is too low. I think it needs to be well coordinated.” Just as crucial: “The employment of refugees in Austria did not go so well in the early years of the Russian war of aggression. Also because of bureaucratic obstacles. Especially among educated migrants. We leave behind a lot of human capital.”
Austrian Immigration Association
Integration in Vienna would work “well”: “A large share of migrants, including those who came years ago, contribute. Those who work and pay taxes have created businesses. However, we also have an increasing proportion of children and young people in Viennese schools whose mother tongue is not German. And I don’t think we yet have the right educational offer that is tailored to the immigration society that Austria is.”
Watch the entire interview in the video above!
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
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.
