Schumann calls for AMS funding for women and older workers

Women in Focus of Funding

AMS board member Petra Draxl underscored the importance of good accessibility and qualification for women. "Bei den Frauen ist uns wichtig, sie weiterhin ‚gut zu erreichen‘ und zu qualifizieren," she said verbatim.

Schumann also spoke out in favor of putting older workers more strongly at the center of labor market policy. In her assessment, this group possesses considerable potential that has not yet been sufficiently tapped.

The debate over resource allocation at the AMS is not new. Women in Austria have been receiving stronger support for years in order to offset existing inequalities in the labor market and increase labor market participation.

Older Workers as Employment Potential

Helmut Mahringer, labor market expert at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (Wifo), pointed in this context to demographic developments. Longer working lives among older people could contribute to securing the need for skilled workers.

The SPÖ, to which Schumann is politically close, has repeatedly advocated in the past for stronger support for women and older employees. The demand for a bonus-malus system for companies that hire or dismiss older employees was discussed once again in this context.

Political Context and Bonus-Malus System

Overall, those responsible at the AMS view the coming months as decisive in determining whether existing programs for women and older workers will be further expanded or whether cuts are looming. Draxl reaffirmed that reaching these target groups is the highest priority.