Women who have received a training allowance are threatened with repayments of between 8,000 and 28,000 euros and subsequent deregistration from social security. They accept the offer of help from Gottfried Waldhäusl, chairman of the Lower Austrian state parliament – the Viennese lawyer Astrid Wagner will provide legal support. So far, women from Lower Austria have been particularly affected. It is feared that this will not continue.
According to the AMS, an incident in Lower Austria led to an audit of a training institute. And then they suddenly realized that the course did not meet the criteria, even though it had been approved in advance. As a result, not only were 60 people affected – almost all young mothers – asked to get their money back for their further education, but the women’s social security was also subsequently withdrawn.
The legal rules remain the same
The AMS has also filed a complaint with the social fraud task force. “We registered as usual and did what was necessary,” says one of the women, whose existential ground was pulled from under her feet. At the moment, it mainly affects Lower Austrians. Although there are now new instructions from the Federal AMS for the legal regulation that has remained the same for many years, the individual state offices will probably proceed differently.
Other training institutes in your sights?
The AMS denies this, as well as the fact that Upper Austria has now targeted three other training institutes. “There are currently no further suspected cases of further training compensation,” it says.
Gottfried Waldhäusl, president of the Lower Austrian state parliament, has now offered legal aid to those affected, some of whom have been denied aid by the Chamber of Labor and whose legal protection against the AMS has been withdrawn en masse: “This is gross injustice! What is happening here is that women who have done nothing wrong are suddenly being portrayed as fraudsters,” he calls on the federal government to finally intervene. So far, 45 affected people have contacted him; many are still trembling at the threat of repayment.
Lawyer Astrid Wagner is on board
The Viennese lawyer Astrid Wagner will handle the cases. But she first has to take a closer look: “I have had several experiences with the AMS and find it a completely antisocial approach – social thinking has apparently been completely lost in this institution of the Ministry of Labor!” said: “We only see one and then we can demand reimbursement if untrue information has been provided.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
