Austria in the crisis: labor market without perspective and solutions!

Austria in the crisis: labor market without perspective and solutions!

The failed government negotiations in Austria are an alarm sign for the labor market and throw dark shadows on the future. According to the current labor market numbers from December 2024, around 300,000 people are unemployed, including over 82,000 long -term unemployed - a worrying share of almost 28 percent. At the same time, around 80,000 places are vacant, which further tightens the already tense conditions. "A third year of recession, as the WIFO and IHS predicted for 2025, needs targeted investments in social security, no savings," warns Manuela Vollmann from Work Plus Austria.

preservation of social structures indispensable

work plus points out that cuts in labor market policy not only continue to marginalize long -term unemployed, but also endanger jobs in social companies. These companies are essential employers, especially in crisis situations, and offer perspectives for people who are often overlooked. Sabine Rehbichler, Managing Director of Arbeits Plus, emphasizes that strong structures for stabilizing the labor market and the social sector are indispensable, especially in difficult times. "These structures must not be put into play lightly," she warns.

According to the EU-Silc, 6 out of 10 long-term unemployed people are at risk of poverty or exclusion. This is reinforced by the increasing cost of living and mental stress from unemployment. "Long persistence not only makes arms poor, but also sick. We need work opportunities for everyone," explains Rehbichler. Social companies have been committed to the integration into the labor market for the integration of employment unpacks and can contribute a lot to solve the problem, but need the right framework.

"Anyone who does not invest now risk a solidified social division," warns Rehbichler. For this reason, work plus urgently appeals to political decision -makers, social security and labor market integration as a priority. On October 25, 2025, the job fair perspective 2024 will take place in which long-term unemployed people can receive information about their chances of support from social companies, as on the website of work plus reports .

summarized are targeted measures to promote labor market integration, essential so that the situation of the unemployed in Austria does not become even more precarious. To ignore Manuela Vollmann and Sabine Rehbichler's warnings could have serious consequences, as in the current reports of OTS