Minimum income should be a springboard into a new life, not a social hammock

In today’s Vienna state parliament, among other things, an amendment to the Vienna Minimum Security Act was discussed. “Over two thirds of those receiving minimum income live in Vienna, a large proportion of whom are entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection. That’s no surprise, as Vienna pays out far more than any other federal state. Not only does this cost an incredible amount of money, which Vienna really cannot afford in the current budgetary situation, but it also creates a social hammock that destroys any incentive to perform,” explains the social spokesperson for the Vienna People’s Party, local councilor Ingrid Korosec.

While there is a lack of funds for the education sector, which represents the future of the city, over 2 million euros are spent every day on Vienna’s minimum income. “The social system should be there to protect and support the most vulnerable. This requires measures that ensure more fairness and at the same time create incentives for performance. “The unfair Vienna system means that those who could actually make their contribution are actually prevented from doing so,” Korosec further criticizes.

Integration spokesperson, local councilor Caroline Hungerländer, also referred to the Chamber of Commerce’s statement on the current amendment in her contribution to the debate. This highlights some points of criticism, especially with regard to the lack of coverage of the amendment in the Basic Social Welfare Act. “This amendment will create even more inequality and therefore more confusion. “You have to ask yourself: for what purpose?” says Hungerländer.

Instead of finally bringing it into line with the other federal states around Vienna through an urgently necessary change in the minimum income and thus eliminating injustice, the attraction as a social magnet and, above all, illegality, exactly the opposite was achieved. “Measures are finally needed to limit the costs of minimum income. But here, unfortunately, it becomes clear once again that our long-standing criticism must remain valid. Vienna’s minimum income is extremely expensive, it attracts immigration and is also illegal. And the current red-pink city government is clearly not willing to change anything about this untenable situation,” criticizes Hungerländer in conclusion.