New plans of the countries

Ukrainians with expensive cars have their money cut off

A woman demonstrates in Vienna against Russia's war of aggression. (symbolic picture)

(Bild: AFP/Alex HALADA)

The federal states are considering new rules for basic welfare benefits for displaced persons from Ukraine. They will have to sell their cars in order to receive the benefit.

The Coordination Council of the Federal Government and the provinces has made a corresponding decision for the period from January, reports the "Standard". However, Vienna has decided to go its own way. In the federal capital, it remains a case-by-case examination, as confirmed to the APA.

This means that someone with an expensive car will hardly be eligible for the basic service as before. If it is a less prestigious vehicle, it is not a reason for exclusion. Other countries argue that someone who has enough money for fuel and insurance is also not in need of assistance.

Ukrainians make up the majority of those receiving basic care
Refugees from Ukraine are responsible for the sharp increase in basic welfare support since the Russian aggression in their country. At the beginning of November, a good 70,400 people were being cared for accordingly. 53 percent of them are Ukrainians.

"Around 2,000 people come to Austria every month," said Refugee Coordinator Andreas Achrainer at a press conference in parliament in November. This is why the federal government, federal states and civil society must "once again move closer together" to help.

"This is a huge opportunity ..."
The President of Ukrainehilfe, Cornelius Granig, recently called for more job opportunities for the often well-educated refugees. The former Siemens and Raiffeisen top manager explained that many of the refugees have completed university studies.

"This is a huge opportunity for our labor market and a potential that we have not yet fully exploited," Granig pleaded for more understanding for initial language problems. Many Ukrainians also have training in the healthcare sector, where there is a huge shortage of workers in Austria.

Ukrainians already living in Austria should therefore be approached and "less thought should be given to how to bring people from the Far East to Austria", he said, referring to the recruitment programs launched by some federal states in countries such as the Philippines.