Without German, there is no social. Austria radically exacerbates the regulations for asylum seekers

The Austrian Minister of Integration, Family and EU Claudia Pokolm announced a significant limitation of financial assistance for asylum seekers who will not participate in the integration process. She also confirmed that in autumn a ban on wearing scarves by children under 14 years of age would return.

In an interview with the Austrian Press Agency (APA) on Wednesday, the Austrian Minister of Integration, Family and EU Claudia Pokolm announced that The government in Vienna ends with “voluntary integration”and and The amount of financial assistance for asylum seekers will depend on the commitment. At the same time, a three -year compulsory integration program will be implemented, which will become part of the reform of the social care system in autumn. The new regulations will apply to persons who have been granted asylum and supplementary protection, displaced persons and asylum applicants, if there is a high probability of remaining in the country.

As Minister Pokolm announced in APA, each, who has not entered or attend German classes, or does not register at the Public Labor Office (AMS), may expect a significant limitation of the benefit received as part of social assistance. At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Integration explained that the reason for the introduction of restrictions is not savings, because the number of asylum seekers decreases, and the need to enforce integration from Austrian society from refugees.

Government in Vienna It will also change the rules for granting family allowance to refugees from Ukraine. From November 1, the right to this type of benefits will depend on the person's readiness to work. Claudia Pokolm argues the changes that Ukrainian refugees, unlike asylum seekers, have unlimited access to the Austrian labor market and can take up employment almost immediately after arriving at the country. The minister also announced the introduction of special solutions for people who, in connection with the need to care for young children, cannot take up.

As announced by the Ministry for Integration in autumn, in schools there will be a ban on wearing scarves by children under 14 years of age. For now, it has not been established what penalties would threaten for breaking these provisions, but Minister Pokolm assured that each student would be able to consult his case with a school psychologist, children and youth services and the office of the Ombudsman for Children and Youth.

The ban on wearing scarves will be restored After similar regulations in 2020, the Austrian Constitutional Tribunal repealed. Then the judges argued that such a limitation is discriminatory, because it concerns only Muslim women.

Tomasz Dawid Jędruchów (PAP)

TDJ/ MMS/