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HEALTH

‘We need immigration’: Austrian minister insists foreign workers are the only solution

Austria needs thousands of nurses and doctors to avoid a collapse in the health sector and the only solution is immigration, the government's health minister warned on Tuesday.

Published: 23 August 2022 16:40 CEST
Austria is experiencing a shortage of nurses. Photo by Luis Melendez on Unsplash
Austria is experiencing a shortage of nurses and doctors. Photo by Luis Melendez on Unsplash

Austria has a big problem to solve in the short term: its labour shortage in the health sector.

It’s a demographic issue, with thousands of doctors and nurses expected to retire in the coming years, but also a labour one.

The country’s health minister, Johannes Rauch (Greens), said on Tuesday the only solution for this problem is to turn abroad to attract professionals.

“We have a labour shortage in Austria and will need immigration in the health and social sector. We can’t solve it any other way. It simply doesn’t work out in terms of demographics”, he told the daily Der Standard.

What is the current situation in Austria and what will the government do?

Many staff have given up the health profession citing the long hours, stressful work days and salaries they say are just not worth the pressure that comes with the job.

The Covid-19 pandemic merely increased the pressure on doctors and nurses forcing them to work yet longer hours.

“You only hear terrible things about working hours, pay and more from the nursing profession at the moment,” said Katharina Reich, Chief Medical Officer.

READ ALSO: More pay and longer holidays: How Austria hopes to attract 75,000 new nurses

Earlier this year, the Federal Government unveiled a €1 billion reform package to improve working conditions for health sector professionals. At the time, health minister Rauch said that the package would include higher salaries for nurses.

“There will be massive measures to make the nursing profession more attractive”, the minister said when the package was unveiled in May.

He said the ministry hoped simplifying processes would help bring 75,000 workers to the sector by 2030.

Rauch didn’t specify how they would attract foreign workers. Currently, getting a visa and having your qualifications accepted to practise medicine and work in the health sector is a lengthy and costly process in Austria.

READ ALSO: Reader question: How can foreign doctors practise medicine in Austria?

As part of the government measures announced in May, nurses who complete vocational training will receive “significantly more” points to access the so-called Rot Weiss Rot (RWR) residence permit in the future.

The government will also increase the points for older professionals, facilitating the entry of nurses from 40 to 50 years old.

RWR applicants need to reach a certain threshold of points based on criteria including age and education to get the permit.

READ ALSO: How Austria is making it easier for non-EU workers to get residence permits

The government promised that the recognition of training acquired abroad would be significantly simplified, accelerated and made free the burden of paperwork, but not much has been announced since May.

However, nurses should be able to work as nursing assistants until their foreign qualifications are formally recognised in the future. Still, no changes have been officially introduced yet.

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WORKING IN AUSTRIA

Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job can be a nightmare for a foreigner in Austria. Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and get back on track as soon as possible.

Published: 17 September 2024 16:39 CEST
Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job in Austria can involve significant challenges, especially for foreigners.

You might worry about whether your residence status is at risk, how difficult it will be to find another position, and how you will support yourself while searching for a new job.

However, in Austria, you can take certain steps to protect yourself until you find your next opportunity.

Know your rights and negotiate your terms

If you get laid off, you have rights you should know.

If the contract is ended by mutual agreement (Einvernehmliche Auflösung), which your employer may offer even if the actual reason is dismissal, no notice period is required.

The contract can be terminated verbally or in writing, though written termination is recommended.

This type of termination allows you to negotiate the notice period and conditions with your employer, and you are expected to express your wishes. 

If you instead are dismissed (Kündigung), which refers to your employer terminating your employment without a specific reason, they need to follow certain deadlines and notice periods.

White-collar workers should receive at least six weeks’ notice in Austria. Meanwhile, blue-collar workers are only required to get at least two weeks’ notice, periods that increase the longer you have worked for an employer.

During the notice time, you can either continue working or be placed on what is known as gardening leave, where you do not have to work but are paid as if you were still working.

Your employer can also terminate your contract immediately (Vorzeitige Entlassung) in cases of very serious violations, but this only happens in special circumstances, such as violating company rules.

If this happens, the employer will  need to calculate a final financial settlement, including any wages until the end of the employment relationship, unused holiday days and over-hours, etc.

In general, what is important to also remember is to check on remaining holiday days and unused overtime to make sure you receive appropriate compensation.

Consulting the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) or a work council (Betriebsrat) can help you understand your rights. For example, special rules apply to certain workers, such as parents, pregnant women, and those under 18, so it is a good idea to seek advice from your works council or union if this might affect you.

READ MORE: How to find a job in Austria in three months

Get all the important documents from your employer

Once you get laid off, it is essential to ensure that your company gives you all the necessary documents to move forward.

You are entitled to documents such as a Certificate of Employment (Arbeitsbescheinigung) and a Confirmation of Deregistration with the Health Insurance Provider (Bestätigung über die Abmeldung beim Krankenversicherungsträger).

It is also important to obtain a Confirmation of Work and Salary (Arbeits—und Entgeltbestätigung) and an Employment Reference (Arbeitszeugnis) for future job opportunities.

Sign up at AMS and get your unemployment benefits

Austria has strict rules regarding signing up at the Public Employment Service, AMS, after losing your job.

You must register as unemployed with the AMS no later than the first day of your unemployment. If you register later, gaps in your benefits, as well as in your health and pension insurance, may occur.

These gaps can also happen if you do not give AMS all the necessary information for your unemployment registration.

The unemployment benefits are calculated based on your previous income and personal situation.

Usually, you receive about 55 per cent of your previous net income. This amount can be a little bit adjusted based on your personal circumstances, such as if you have children or a spouse financially depending on you, which may entitle you to some extra payments.

Depending on your residence permit, you might not be able to receive long-term unemployment benefits. However, most employees can get unemployment insurance, which covers part of their previous salary while they search for a new job.

It can be a good idea to check in with AMS to get the details about your specific situation.

It is also important to know that if you receive unemployment benefits, you cannot leave the country, even for vacation. If you do need to travel, you must inform AMS in advance, and you will not receive benefits while you are away.

READ ALSO: Should I register with Austria’s unemployment agency AMS if I’m out of work?

Inform the immigration office 

If you are on a residence permit linked to your job, such as a Blue Card or any work visa, you must inform the immigration office, MA 35, about your situation as soon as possible.

Some permits require you to maintain employment to keep your visa valid. Reporting your job loss helps you avoid potential issues with your residence status and allows you to apply for a different type of permit if necessary.

If you, for example, have a Red-White-Red Card for highly qualified workers in shortage occupations and you lose your job within the first two years of residency in Austria, you must inform the immigration office (MA 35 in Vienna or the local Bezirkshauptmannschaft in other parts o the country) and apply for a new residence permit to avoid losing your right to live and work in the country.

In general, it is a good idea to ask the immigration office about your specific options with your current visa.

READ NEXT: What you should do if you lose your residence permit in Austria

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