This article was translated from Arabic. Read the Arabic original
Austria Now News – Vienna
The Austrian government is increasing pressure on migrant women who are not in work, through a reform of social assistance (Sozialhilfe) and the Integration Obligations Act (Integrationspflichtengesetz). According to Der Standard, migrants receive roughly a third less as long as they have not demonstrated their commitment to integration, while families in Vienna face further cuts.
Why women in particular?
Der Standard points out that refugee families have comparatively more children, which keeps many women away from the labour market for years and means they learn German slowly. According to figures from Statistik Austria presented in September, the employment rate of women from non-EU countries is only 59 percent, falling to 29 percent among those from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, while the employment rate among migrants overall stands at 74 percent.
Integration Minister Claudia Bauer of the People’s Party (ÖVP) had said the law gives women the opportunity for greater independence through language and work, but acknowledged that many of them are hard to reach, stressing that reaching them also means reaching the next generation. Among her arguments was also that 13,000 courses were abandoned before completion last year.
The proposed fines
The draft law, which is open for review until 12 November, obliges migrants to attend German-language and values courses and to work. Those who repeatedly refuse face benefit cuts and then fines of between €1,500 and €5,000, according to the Salzburger Nachrichten, citing the draft. Cheating in exams is punishable by a fine of up to €1,000, and forging exam certificates by up to €5,000. The law is set to take effect at the beginning of 2027.
Criticism
Aid organisations fear, according to Der Standard, that the reform will worsen child poverty rather than halve it, as the government aims to do. The law has not yet been passed by parliament.
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Sources
- Der Standard: Befreiungsschlag für Frauen? Regierung erhöht Druck auf Migrantinnen ohne Job – 03.11.2026 – derstandard.at
- Salzburger Nachrichten: Integrationspflichtengesetz sieht empfindliche Strafen vor – 30.10.2026 – sn.at
- Tiroler Tageszeitung: Mehr Verbindlichkeit bei Integration – 11.09.2026 – tt.com
- ORF: NEOS sieht „Neustart“ bei Integrationspolitik – 03.11.2026 – orf.at
