!Jobs in Western cities... but foreigners are going to Vienna
The head of the Vienna Employment Office (AMS), "Vinfried Göschel", stated that about 75% of new asylum recipients immediately move to Vienna after receiving their decision, even though job opportunities are often concentrated in the west of the country, not in the capital. He added that this trend is not positive, as returning to other states becomes difficult once they move.
He explained that Vienna, being the only major city in Austria, is under significant pressure due to immigration, and that its population has increased by about half a million over 30 years, or by 25%. Although this population growth has made the population younger, the labor market has not kept pace with this development.
Ghosh confirmed that integrating refugees into the labor market requires significant effort due to language issues and a lack of qualifications, as many of the newcomers have spent long periods in camps in Turkey or Lebanon, and some are illiterate. According to the Integration Fund, seven out of ten refugees need to learn to read and write, and in some cases, this process starts in their native language.
Every year, between 8,000 and 10,000 recognized refugees arrive at the employment office, but the number of registered individuals only increases by about 3,500, indicating that two-thirds of them enter the labor market, or perhaps some of them move to other places.
He pointed out that merely applying pressure is not enough to integrate the unemployed into the labor market, but there must be a commitment on their part, especially when suitable job opportunities are available in terms of salary and working conditions. The law states that anyone who refuses a suitable job without reason loses their financial benefits.
However, there are challenges, including some individuals missing job interviews without justification, or resorting to sick leave repeatedly, which limits the possibility of assisting them. Although some companies complain about a shortage of labor, some refuse to hire those who do not have a sufficient level of German (A2), which Göschel described as incomprehensible, especially since the experience during the trial period is possible and easy.
Goschel also criticized the continued benefit of combining unemployment support with part-time work, which leads to prolonged periods of unemployment, especially among those with low skills. He expressed his support for reducing these types of socially supported jobs. Despite ongoing attempts to relocate the unemployed to other states, success in this area is limited due to difficulties such as securing housing. However, Goschel believes that working in different areas enhances employment and income opportunities.