Author
The information leaflets in the initial reception centre provide brief information on rights and obligations regarding reception conditions, e.g. the possibility and obligation to visit a doctor, the possibility to contact UNHCR, the obligation to declare resources or sources of income, the restricted movement and the meaning of the different documents (such as the green card). Information leaflets are available in most of the languages spoken by asylum applicants. As mentioned above (see Reduction or withdrawal of reception conditions) mandatory basic rules-courses were introduced for asylum applicants in federal accommodation centres. These basic rules-courses (Grundregelkurse) consist of 5 modules and include content on democracy, the rule of law and freedoms, equal rights, culture and manners, rights and duties as well as sensitisation to forms of antisemitism. Anyone who refuses to take part in these courses will only receive half of the € 40 pocket money instead. The obligation to attend the courses was received negatively, as asylum applicants crave information anyway. However, Austrian conservative politicians (ÖVP) have sought to show this obligation to the general public as a measure to tighten up the situation of refugees.
The residence restriction applicable since 1 November 2017 is notified in writing in all federal provinces. Asylum applicants are required to sign the notice (see Freedom of Movement). NGOs and private operators have produced information sheets in a wide range of languages. There have been several cases where asylum applicants have been sanctioned for violating their residence restrictions, including in cases where the concerned person was visiting friends in Vienna and did not change their residence. Apart from Vienna and Lower Austria, the residence restriction is of little relevance.
In the reception centres, asylum applicants are provided information about the house rules, as well as on their duties and the possible subsequent sanctions.[1] The house rules in the reception centres of Styria, for example, are available at the digital federal legal information system RIS (Rechtsinformationssystem).[2] Information is either posted in the most common languages (e.g. English, Russian, French, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Serbian) or a paper containing brief written instructions has to be signed by the asylum applicant. In the states of Lower Austria,[3] and Salzburg,[4] a brochure, which is also available on the internet, describes the Basic Care system, although information is not up to date. In other provinces like Vienna, the information brochure contains the issues of the Basic Care system and contact details of NGOs providing information and advice.[5] Advice from social workers is included in the reception provisions laid down by law. Social advisers visiting reception centres on a regular basis, also have to fulfil at the same time administrative tasks such as handing over the monthly pocket money or the vouchers for clothes and school material. Organisations providing social advice usually also have departments for legal advice to asylum applicants.
Asylum applicants living in rented flats must go to the offices of the social advice organisations. The current system of provision of information is not satisfactory, as there is only one social worker responsible for 140 asylum applicants meaning that the quality of the services provided by social workers is low in practice. Furthermore, there are considerable differences from one federal province to another: one social worker is responsible for 50 asylum applicants in Vienna and for 70 asylum applicants in Tyrol. Moreover, reception centres located in remote areas cannot be visited very often by social workers due to insufficient funding.
Consequently, many volunteers and communities help asylum applicants by, for example sharing information via social networks.[6] Although their numbers have reduced in recent years, volunteers are still active in 2024 and assist asylum applicants in various aspects. This includes providing German language lessons and conversation, explaining asylum applicants’ obligations and rights, helping with the family reunification procedure, or with access housing or employment upon termination of the asylum procedure. Some initiatives organise petitions and press reports against deportations to Afghanistan and other countries.[7]
[1] Stmk. Grundversorgungsgesetz-Durchführungsverordnung, available in German here.
[2] House rules of the reception centre of Sytria, available in German here.
[3] City of Vienna, Grundversorgung Wien, available here. The Basic Care brochure for Lower Austria is available in 16 languages.
[4] Province of Salzburg, Grundversorgung; available here.
[5] Fonds Soziales Wien, Wiener Grundversorgung. Die Beratungsstellen, available here.
[6] E.g. information about accommodation here.
[7] See for example: NGO fairness asyl,available here, Plattform #sichersein, available here.