No minimum security for those entitled to protection: Hacker defends Vienna course

Vienna's Social City Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) defended the planned new regulation for those with subsidiary protection status in the state parliament on Thursday. In the future, they will also no longer receive minimum benefits in Vienna but will be transferred to basic care. Hacker referred to the already adopted European regulation, which fundamentally regulates the handling of this group of people. The legislator - that is, the federal government - is bound by this.

The federal government must now draft a regulation that applies to all federal states. "Which of the possible paths the federal government will choose, I do not know." The states are not directly responsible here, he emphasized. This also applies to Vienna. "The creation of support systems for people under international protection is not solely the task of the federal capital, that is certain."

Vienna Takes "First Step": Hacker Defends End for Those in Need of Protection

The system must apply to all of Austria and thus to all federal states. If the EU requirements are not anchored via law, the regulation will become national law from July 1, Hacker explained in the state parliament's question hour. In Vienna, a "first step" has been taken with the change, he said. In Austria, those with subsidiary protection status will thus no longer receive minimum benefits in any federal state in the future.

The new regulation in Vienna is supposed to apply from January 1. However, according to his own statements, Hacker assumes that not all affected individuals will switch to the new system immediately on the first day. For example, it is still being examined how to deal with people with existing notices. Whether there will be accompanying measures is also still open, according to the city councillor.

Numerous Budget Measures Planned in Vienna

Measures regarding minimum benefits are intended to help reduce the budget deficit in Vienna. Other cuts, such as an increase in public transport ticket prices, higher rates for the local tax, the postponement of construction projects, or the freezing of district budgets, are also planned. An increase in the housing subsidy contribution is also planned. This measure was on the state parliament's agenda on Thursday.

This aims to generate an additional 190 million euros. The contribution currently amounts to 0.5 percent of the assessment base for both employers and employees, and it will increase to 0.75 percent each in the future. The revenues will be earmarked for housing, social services, kindergartens, and schools.

The Vienna Academy Promotion Act will also be amended. Savings are also planned for the party academies. With the amendment, funds for international educational work will be reduced.

(APA/Red)

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