Wave of terminations: BFI registers 65 out of 140 employees with the AMS
The Vocational Training Institute (BFI) Burgenland has registered 65 of its approximately 140 employees with the AMS (Public Employment Service) early warning system. This is significantly more than previously known: in mid-August, there was talk of 25 to 30 trainers in northern Burgenland. According to an anonymous letter sent to the "Krone," almost all trainers and a large portion of the management staff in educational administration, including those from the headquarters in Oberwart, are affected. Some individual terminations have already been issued.
For course participants, this is more than just a company announcement. The BFI Burgenland trains 4,000 to 5,000 people annually and is one of the providers to which the AMS sends job seekers for courses—ranging from qualification programs and nursing training to inter-company apprenticeship training. The reason for the cuts lies precisely there: fewer orders from the AMS and a smaller budget for active labor market policy. Managing Director Jürgen Grandits expects a decline of ten to 15 percent for Burgenland.
What remains open, above all, is the re-tendering of the inter-company apprenticeship training in Eisenstadt and Neusiedl am See, where 101 young people were previously supervised by the BFI. As long as the tender is not decided, the notice periods continue to run. Grandits says he cannot wait for the contract award: "I am not the AMS, nor am I the public sector." If the BFI receives the contract, terminations that have already been issued could be rescinded.
Two points are legally important for employees. The early warning system according to Section 45a of the Labor Market Promotion Act obliges the employer to notify the AMS of intended terminations at least 30 days in advance and to wait for this period to expire; terminations issued before the 30 days have passed are legally invalid. Furthermore, employees are legally entitled to days off to look for a new job during the notice period—the anonymous letter states that those affected do not dare to claim them.
Anyone currently attending an AMS course at the BFI or waiting for an apprenticeship in Eisenstadt or Neusiedl should check with their local AMS office to see if their specific course or training position is affected and obtain written confirmation. In the event of a personal termination, the Burgenland Chamber of Labor provides free assistance in checking the notice period and validity.