Austria’s labor market chief, Johannes Kopf, is calling for a nationwide overhaul of the country’s minimum welfare system, arguing that the patchwork of state-level rules creates unfair disparities, reported by OE24. “I am in favor of a uniform national model. There is no reason benefits should vary from one state to another,” Kopf said in an interview with profil.
Reflecting on the refugee influx of 2015 and 2016, Kopf described integration into the labor market as both costly and essential. “It works. It’s expensive, but non-integration is even more expensive. A German course costs less than a month of welfare,” he remarked. According to AMS figures, 57 percent of those who arrived during that period are now employed. Afghans, many of whom had little formal training, have integrated faster than expected, while Syrians with professional qualifications, including doctors, have faced more obstacles due to stringent language requirements. “We’ve helped more than 200 Syrian doctors through certification. It takes on average three years to reach the required German level and pass the exams. And of course, I want to be treated by a doctor who fully understands me,” Kopf said.
He pointed to one persistent challenge: women. Many leave the workforce once their husbands earn enough, disappearing from official employment records. “This is even more concerning for their daughters, who often remain at home instead of pursuing education or training,” he warned.
On welfare reform, Kopf acknowledged controversy over large families receiving thousands in benefits but insisted that tackling child poverty requires greater support. “The parents are often too poorly qualified to earn that much, so higher aid is necessary,” he said. Yet despite growing debate, a political breakthrough remains distant.
