In the future, newcomers to Austria will have to participate in “etiquette courses” and work for €1.50 per hour—otherwise, their monthly allowance will be reduced from €40 to €20. Will these new requirements help improve integration?
REFUGEES MUST ATTEND COURSES AND WORK
Minister of the interior Gerhard Karner and minister for integration Susanne Raab (both ÖVP) have introduced a new regulation that imposes a “work obligation” and mandatory basic rule courses for asylum seekers under federal care. However, these measures only affect a small portion of asylum seekers: out of a total of 35,000 in basic care, only 1,600 are under federal care. The federal government is responsible only for initial reception, after which responsibility is handed over to the federal states.
MANDATORY BASIC RULE COURSES
Asylum seekers in federal care will have to complete basic rule courses organised by the Integration Fund. These courses consist of four 90-minute modules covering topics such as culture and etiquette, equality, democracy, the roles of men and women, and antisemitism. Those who do not attend the courses will have their allowance reduced.
WORKING FOR ALLOWANCE
In addition to the rule courses, there is also a work obligation. Asylum seekers who refuse to engage in work will also have their allowance reduced. According to Andreas Achrainer, Managing Director of the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services, most refugees are already motivated to take on meaningful tasks. There are even waiting lists for various jobs in the support facilities.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
The jobs for asylum seekers include tasks such as corridor cleaning, kitchen service, winter services, and assistance in nursing homes and libraries. They are compensated with a recognition payment of €1.50 per hour. Additionally, work can also be carried out in public sector organisations or in companies with a minimum entitlement to five civil servants.
THE PURPOSE
The new measures aim to integrate people who immigrate to Austria into society early and provide them with knowledge of fundamental societal values. Despite the limited scope of this regulation, affecting only 1,600 out of the total 35,000 asylum seekers in Austria, it is considered an important step toward better and faster integration of asylum seekers.
PROBLEMS
However, the implementation of the basic rule courses could fail due to a lack of resources or inadequate preparation. If these courses do not meet people where they are, they will be ineffective. Additionally, there is a risk that asylum seekers could be exploited as cheap labor, leading to market distortions.
ALTERNATIVES
It might be more sensible to offer asylum seekers volunteer work. There is a significant difference in perception: if I earn €1.50 per hour for a task, I may feel exploited, whereas, in performing volunteer work, I feel like a valuable part of society. The strong interest asylum seekers show in assistance jobs indicates that they are eager to engage in work; still, additional incentives could be created, such as a “point system.”
In general, it is better to create positive incentives for integration into society rather than applying pressure. Time will tell whether these new measures will have a positive, negative, or no effect.
Translated by Anna Smith
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