The report about a Tyrolean couple who are desperately fighting against the ORF fees, which are now being charged twice, has provoked many reactions. Of course not at ORF itself.
The odyssey of a Tyrolean couple in the ORF compensation jungle has, as expected, provoked numerous reactions – from similarly or even identical affected citizens who are almost desperately trying to make their “innocence” known to the ORF. There was no response from the ORF Contribution Service (OBS). But that’s not really surprising!
Short flashback to Sunday’s “Krone” report: in it, a couple from the Innsbruck area, who have lived under the same roof for twenty years, describe how they suddenly have to pay double the ORF fees. All attempts – emails, sending the registration form, etc. – were not only unsuccessful, but also largely went without any response from the ORF.
“When I saw the report, I had a feeling of deja vu”
But it’s hard to believe, it gets even better: a couple who have lived together for 40 (!) years and have never lived a day in different apartments, have also been trying to solve the ORF error for more than six months. “When I read the story in the ‘Krone’ on Sunday, my husband and I had a déjà vu experience. Only: We have been married for 40 years. For the rest, we feel the same as the couple you are reporting about. We have written a letter to the ORF, sent an email and have already called twice.”
The affected person describes a rather incredible detail from the last phone conversation: “I asked if I was talking to an AI voice or to a real person. This is hardly known today. The lady assured me that she was a real person, that she would arrange everything and that the matter would be taken care of for us. Unfortunately, nothing happened, except that this leaflet entitled ‘Executable Arrears Certificate’ suddenly appeared in our mailbox. We always dutifully paid for the previous GIS. And now we have to worry that the executor is at the door. “Something is just not right anymore,” the affected person sounds almost desperate during the telephone conversation with “Krone”.
It cannot be ruled out that the executor will be at the door. The ORF does not forget to point this out. The warning letter literally states: “We would like to point out that further non-payment will inevitably lead to legal and judicial costs for you, up to and including execution (seizure/seizure on wages).” an ‘extra service’.
Neos: “Odyssey proof of citizen unfriendliness”
There were largely no political reactions on Sunday. Except for the Tyrolean NEOS, who are known as anything but friends of the “ORF obligatory contribution to happiness”. “The months-long odyssey of a Tyrolean couple in the ORF compensation system impressively shows how dysfunctional and citizen-unfriendly the processing of the mandatory ORF compensation is,” says LA Susanna Riedlsperger.
It is unconscionable how the couple is sent from one agency to another without their legitimate concerns being heard. A functioning government must support citizens and not bully them. “If simple administrative errors cannot be resolved, the problem is not with the people, but with the system. This is completely unacceptable.”
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.
