Pocket money cuts

New employment rules for asylum seekers from April

As the Ministry of the Interior announced on Saturday, the new employment opportunities for asylum seekers will come into force in April. The field of activity will be further expanded. There is no obligation, but a reduction in pocket money is possible.

According to the ministry's current draft, in future people can also work in basic services where organizations are only "under the decisive influence of a local authority or an association of local authorities" or where they are NGOs. Previously, this was limited to municipalities and federal states.

No pocket money only in Upper Austria
There will still be no obligation to work for those receiving basic care. However, the Ministry of the Interior points out that a restriction of pocket money is possible in this case, should the federal states so decide. Pocket money is provided in all federal states except Upper Austria.

The draft of the regulation was sent out at the beginning of the year. Six federal states have since responded, only Vienna, Burgenland and Salzburg have not. The comments are still to be incorporated into the ordinance.

Non-profit activities
The possible uses are non-profit activities, such as lawn care. In the letter accompanying the draft, the Ministry of the Interior also cited activities in retirement homes, libraries, sports facilities and cemeteries as examples. Homeless facilities and workshops for the disabled are also listed.