The Employment Service (AMS) imposed more suspensions of unemployment benefits last year than in 2023. In concrete terms, the number of sanctions increased by about 4.8 percent to 162,435, the AMS announced.
The increase is due to rising unemployment rates and consistent behavior among benefit recipients. At the end of December 2024, 426,012 people were looking for a job, 27,007 more than at the end of 2023.
Skipping training sessions is also penalized
According to the AMS, in 2024 there were just over 44,200 sanctions due to “days of absence from training” (Article 10 of the Unemployment Act/AlVG) – an increase of approximately 11.1 percent compared to 2023. More than 34,100 sanctions (plus 5.6 percent ) were – also in accordance with paragraph 10 – the result of “refusal or hindrance to work/education”.
Sanctions mainly for ‘missing’ AMS agreements
The vast majority of sanctions, around 52,600, were imposed by the AMS due to the inexcusable “failure” to comply with an AMS agreement in accordance with paragraph 49. Here the increase compared to 2023 was almost 5.6 percent. Meanwhile, with 1,480 bans, sanctions for “rejections/recruitment due to lack of willingness to work” have almost doubled (paragraph 9).
There was a waiting period for unemployment benefits almost 30,000 times as a result of self-imposed termination of employment – a decrease of 6.7 percent. According to the AMS, fewer layoffs are a sign of poorer economic development.
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.
