Styria fights with record unemployment: Focus on the long -term unemployed!

Styria fights with record unemployment: Focus on the long -term unemployed!

Steiermark, Österreich - In Styria, the situation on the job market is alarming! In February 2023, the number of unemployed rose by 10.4 percent compared to the previous year. The long -term unemployed in particular are worrying - 9,946 people are currently more than a year without a job. This represents an increase of 20 percent, as reports orf.at . An important trend shows that at least half of this long -term unemployed are older than 50 years and almost 60 percent suffer from health restrictions. This is an alarming situation because it is particularly challenging for this group to enter the labor market again. AMS boss Karl-Heinz Snobe warns that even with a better economic situation, this group often finds a new job.

The Styrian AMS is concerned about the stagnating number of vacancies. As Kleinezeitung.at are currently unemployed, which means an increase of 7.7 percent. It is particularly dramatic that the number of people who have been without work for a long time. Snobe describes the situation as a result of an "economic sadness" that has a negative impact on employment. In order to combat long-term unemployment, the AMS management relies on new programs, including the "Aktion 55PLUS", which is intended to help older unemployed to find social and livelihood. 50 million euros will be planned for this from 2026.

A look at the future

positive developments are in sight, such as improving the situation of migrant workers, but the challenges remain enormous. The mandatory registration of Ukrainian migrants at the AMS could attract up to 3,000 new employment capable, says Snobe. Nevertheless, there are also critical voices on the plans of the new government to expand the seasonal contingents for third -country nationals, which could further reduce the opportunities for local workers. These measures have to be worked out exactly in order not to put a strain on the labor market and not to stand in the way of positive development.