The Austrian federal state of Burgenland will introduce mandatory participation of refugees in community work starting July 1, 2025. From now on, all individuals receiving asylum in this region must perform certain labor tasks.
This is reported by Finway
What Community Work Will Refugees Perform
Refugees will be engaged in various activities, including park maintenance, assistance in nursing homes, and cleaning. For completing such tasks, a payment of 1.6 euros per hour is provided. This is nearly ten times less than the average hourly wage in Austria.
“Those who continuously receive support from the state must also take responsibility and give something back to society,” said Burgenland’s Minister of Social Policy, Daniela Winkler.
Consequences of Refusing to Participate in Community Work
Refusing to participate in the proposed work programs without a valid reason will have serious consequences. If a refugee declines to perform the assigned work twice without proper justification, their social assistance may be reduced.
In such cases, the individual risks losing basic support: instead of housing, only a sleeping place may be provided, and access to health insurance, food, and basic medical treatment will be restricted.