Asylum seekers face new work permit barriers in Austria

Asylum seekers in Austria are increasingly being denied new work permits, leaving some employers without staff, ORF reports. The Diakonie refugee service says the restrictions are forcing people who have been working to rely on state support.

Michael Schwemberger, who runs a large riding stable in Aldrans in the Innsbruck-Land district, says one of his five stable workers, Ismaiel, is at risk of losing his job. The Syrian, a trained history teacher, has worked there for four years. His asylum application was rejected, and an appeal is pending before the Federal Administrative Court.

Schwemberger applied to extend Ismaiel’s work permit in September but was turned down. He said the stable depended on its workers and that it would be a serious loss if Ismaiel could no longer work. Businesses in tourism, logistics and other sectors have also been refused permits for asylum seekers, according to the report.

Simone Rabl, a legal adviser at the Diakonie refugee service, said it was receiving more inquiries about rejected applications. The service is currently supporting about 30 people whose asylum cases are awaiting a second-instance decision. Many had worked for months or years with permits, paid taxes and supported themselves, she said.

Some have had to return to state-run asylum accommodation and live on basic support, which is far less than their former wages. Rabl said they were being prevented from supporting themselves despite having shown they were willing and able to work.

Austria’s labour ministry says 261 asylum seekers in Tirol currently hold valid work permits, while 50 applications have been rejected since the EU Asylum Pact took effect in June. The ministry says employment law was amended to comply with the EU Reception Conditions Directive.

The Diakonie disputes that interpretation, saying the EU rules do not require the restrictions. Rabl said courts had already ruled in favour of some appeals against permit refusals, finding that EU rules provide for asylum seekers to be allowed to work.

The question is now due to be decided by the country’s highest court. The labour ministry says existing permits will remain valid until then. Ismaiel can therefore continue working at the stable at least until a decision is made in the second instance of his asylum case.