Demonstration against AMS budget cuts: Women in Upper Austria particularly affected

Protest march in Vienna demands more support for job-seeking women from the federal government

Linz/Vienna (OTS) – The Upper Austrian region has two symbolic places. Organizers elected for the protest march against the cuts in the budget of the Public Employment Service (AMS): 450 representatives of social enterprises with labor market-integrative offers marched from Bundesländerplatz to Johanna-Dohnal-Platz, from the Austrian Women’s Ring, from trade unions, interest groups and of course from the ooh. Women’s Vocational Centers (FBZ).

Klaudia Burtscher, on the board of the Social Platform Upper Austria and head of the Steyr Women’s Foundation explains: We consciously chose Johanna-Dohnal-Platz because the AMS budget cuts are particularly hard on women. In Upper Austria there are hardly any opportunities for job-seeking women to obtain new or higher professional qualifications that will secure their livelihood. This particularly affects those returning to work, young women or women with no or low unemployment benefits.

The oö. On behalf of the AMS, women’s vocational centers provide around 2,000 women per year with individual support with re-entry, job searches and higher professional qualifications. The cuts in the AMS budget for 2025 are already having massive, negative effects for job-seeking women in Upper Austria. The FBZ’s offer must be reduced (-20% budget) and there have already been restrictions on qualification and employment support for job seekers. Particularly for job-seeking women without unemployment benefits (women returning to work, young women), there are hardly any opportunities within the AMS for new or higher professional qualifications to secure a living in order to gain a foothold in the labor market again.

On behalf of social enterprises, Burtscher calls for an active labor market policy with a sufficient budget. She emphasizes: The labor market situation is critical, unemployment is increasing rapidly – especially in Upper Austria. Instead of reducing or even eliminating offers, it is high time to support and qualify job seekers for the future needs of the economy. Women are not the hidden reserve; women are the necessary skilled workers for good economic development. The cuts endanger the professional and economic future of these women and their families.

The very successful women’s vocational centers, other organizations and supporters are therefore demanding from the federal government:

1. Additional funding of at least €500 million for the AMS budget 2025
2. Doubling the budget earmarked for women’s labor market projects
3. Longer-term contract terms (at least 3 years) for labor market-integrated offers to increase planning security for social enterprises
4. Consideration of cost increases, collective agreement increases and indexation

The demonstration sends a clear message: It is high time to reverse the budget cuts and actively support women looking for work.

Questions & Contact:

Klaudia Burtscher, +43664 2269315, klaudia.burtscher@frauenstiftung.at