Support workshops

Wages instead of pocket money: State sees open questions

Support workshops: Provincial Councillor Leonhard Schneemann still sees open questions regarding the future rules for employment relationships.(Bild: Büro Schneemann)

The social affairs officers of the federal states are meeting in Carinthia from today. One topic will be the federal government's "Wages instead of pocket money" project. Specifically, it is about people with disabilities who work in day and employment structures. However, Burgenland's Social Welfare Councillor Leonhard Schneemann (SPÖ) still sees unanswered questions.

In Burgenland, 800 people are affected. They do not receive a salary for their work, but an allowance of 100 euros per month and are insured or covered by their parents. The federal government now wants full access to the labor market for people with disabilities. Their work should become a regular employment relationship, including social insurance. State Social Welfare Councillor Schneemann is skeptical: "There are still too many unanswered questions". We don't know what the social security situation will be, what it means in terms of employment law or which benefits can still be claimed. There is also a lack of clear federal funding guidelines.

"We urgently need answers here, then we can talk further," said Schneemann. He referred to a functioning system in Burgenland, which has been further improved by the new Equal Opportunities Act. "Some of the existing services have been revised and optimized," said the provincial councillor. The budget has also been increased by 10 million euros to 80 million euros.