Vienna: Austria's Integration, Family and EU Affairs Minister Claudia Plakolm announced on Wednesday that voluntary integration is 'over,' as the government prepares to introduce a three-year mandatory program linking social benefits to participation in language and values courses. The initiative, set to be included in a broader social welfare reform this fall, will apply to asylum holders, those with subsidiary protection, displaced persons, and asylum seekers with a strong chance of remaining in Austria.

According to Anadolu Agency, Plakolm emphasized that individuals who fail to attend German or values courses without justification, or do not register with the Public Employment Service, can expect significant reductions in assistance. She outlined that the measure is not about expanding budgets but making better use of existing resources, particularly in light of falling asylum numbers and unfilled course spots.

Furthermore, displaced Ukrainians will continue to receive family allowance until October 31, after which the payment will be tied to their willingness to work. Plakolm highlighted that a successor arrangement will consider individual life situations, such as caring for very young children, and reiterated that Ukrainians have the right to work from their first day in Austria.

In addition to the integration program, Plakolm reaffirmed government plans to implement a headscarf ban for children under 14 in schools starting this fall. She asserted that the ban is in the interest of child welfare, stating that the headscarf has no place for children under 14 and arguing that Islam does not require it. Support measures for the ban will include discussions with parents and the involvement of school psychologists and child welfare agencies, though sanctions for non-compliance are still under review. It is noteworthy that Austria's Constitutional Court struck down an earlier headscarf ban in 2020, partly because it targeted Muslims.