Austria’s Burgenland Implements Compulsory Work for Refugees
Austria’s Burgenland state has introduced a new scheme requiring asylum seekers to work for their host municipalities. Asylum seekers who refuse to work will face welfare benefit cuts. The program, known as the ‘Burgenland Model’, was approved by the regional legislature in December 2024 and is set to launch on July 1. The initiative aims to promote integration and reduce financial burdens on the local population by ensuring that asylum seekers contribute to the community.
State Councilor Daniela Winkler from the Social Democratic Party (SPO) explained that migration must be financially and socially viable. She stated that the measures are meant to reflect fairness towards the population, emphasizing that asylum seekers who become committed contributors to the community help reduce prejudices and make integration a tangible experience. According to Winkler, the structured daily routine provides asylum seekers with stability and meaning during a period of uncertainty.
The program envisages asylum seekers being deployed to areas where additional hands are most needed, depending on the locality. 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 per week, while those in other community service roles will be required to work up to 30 hours, with hourly pay of €1.60 ($1.90). Asylum seekers who repeatedly refuse to participate in the scheme without valid reasons 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. 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 and called for faster asylum and deportation procedures.
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. This initiative is part of a broader trend in Austria and Europe to address the challenges posed by refugee influxes through practical labor engagement rather than purely humanitarian aid.
This policy reflects the corporatist political stance of the SPO, which seeks to balance economic efficiency with social responsibility. While the approach has drawn both support and criticism, it highlights the complex interplay between immigration policy, economic sustainability, and social integration in modern Europe.