Lower Austria and Burgenland are tightening their asylum policy. This will cause problems in Vienna, because the capital is already bearing the brunt. The “Krone” has the current figures.
Lower Austria recently introduced the in-kind card for asylum seekers. “Transfers abroad and cash withdrawals are no longer possible,” said LH deputy Udo Landbauer (FPÖ). Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) also made people sit up with statements about a tough asylum procedure. The effect is expected to be limited for the time being. Asylum seekers cannot decide for themselves where they want to settle.
The current figures are available from “Krone”.
The situation is different for recognized refugees and for those entitled to subsidiary protection. Many people could then probably move to Vienna. This will cause problems for the capital; Vienna is already being hit hard by Austria’s refugee policy. Result: Spending on minimum income is exploding. And current figures do not necessarily lead to the conclusion that the majority of refugees will soon gain a foothold in the labor market. This is evident from an analysis available to “Krone”.
Vienna covers 72 percent of the minimum income
Although 69 percent of people with a migrant background are employed, the number of unemployed or immigrant workers in training is concentrated in Vienna. Shocking: Three out of four refugees who are unemployed or in training live in Vienna. This is no coincidence. Compared to other states, Vienna offers generous social services and educational opportunities. This is becoming more and more of a burden. In second place in the ranking: Styria with 6.1 percent, followed by Upper Austria with 6 percent (see graph). 74.5 percent of all refugees without jobs or training are registered in the capital – and the trend is increasing.
Many are in training
And the integration of refugees into the labor market is also progressing slowly. Many are parked in AMS training. And even at AMS Vienna, people are increasingly overwhelmed by the enormous volume, we hear behind closed doors. For example, in Austria only 48 percent of the employed people from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq are employed; women are significantly less common than men. In 2023, a total of 86,400 people entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection received a minimum income or social assistance, of whom almost three-quarters (72.3 percent) lived in Vienna.
Some groups are significantly overrepresented
Dependency is particularly high among Syrian and Somali nationals, more than 70 percent of whom depend on social assistance. These figures are an indictment and a huge burden on the budget. Vienna covers more than 72 percent of the national costs of the minimum income.
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.
