Compulsory work for refugees introduced in EU country

Under the new scheme in Austria’s Burgenland, asylum seekers who refuse to work will face welfare benefit cuts

Burgenland state in Austria has introduced a scheme requiring asylum seekers to work for their host municipalities. Those who repeatedly refuse will see their welfare benefits cut to the bare minimum.

Speaking last Wednesday, State Councilor Daniela Winkler from the Social Democratic Party (SPO) explained that “migration must be financially and socially viable,” adding that the measures are meant to reflect “fairness towards the population.”

The ‘Burgenland Model’, approved by the regional legislature in December 2024, is set to launch on July 1.

Winkler argued that as asylum seekers “become committed contributors to the community… prejudices disappear, and integration becomes a tangible experience.”

According to the official, “the structured daily routine provides asylum seekers with stability and meaning during a period of uncertainty.”

The local authorities have estimated that there are around 130 asylum seekers of working age currently residing in Burgenland, who appear to be eligible for the ‘model.’

Read more

The scheme envisages asylum seekers being deployed to areas where additional hands are most needed, depending on the locality.

“It’s not about symbolic employment, but rather real, everyday tasks,” Winkler clarified.

According to a statement on the SPO’s website, eligible jobs include landscape and winter maintenance, cleaning, delivery services, and “simple auxiliary tasks” in nursing homes and libraries.

Refugees in caregiving roles will work up to 20 hours weekly, while other community service roles require up to 30 hours. They will be paid €1.60 per hour ($1.90)

Those who have repeatedly refused to participate in the scheme without a valid reason will have their welfare payments and services slashed.

However, asylum seekers will retain access to basic accommodation, food, and medical care under all circumstances

The Burgenland state councilor clarified that an asylum seeker who refuses to perform compulsory social services can, for instance, expect to be removed from a state-provided apartment, and given simply a “place to sleep” instead.

On Wednesday, the head of the regional SPO chapter, Roland Furst, also stated that Burgenland has put a cap of 330 people on asylum seeker admittance per year. He also called for asylum and deportation procedures to be sped up.

According to official statistics, Burgenland’s population stood at 301,790 as of January 1, 2025.

Carinthia, another Austrian state, is reportedly developing a similar mandatory employment scheme for asylum seekers.