The first cards have been produced by the state printing office since today, Friday, and the first 1,000 copies are to be sent out on Monday. According to Karner, this will give Ukrainians access to the job market, health insurance and education.
The basis for the introduction of this so-called “blue card” is the directive adopted at EU level, which initially grants protection to displaced persons from Ukraine for one year. Each country proceeds differently, in Austria they opted for the card, says Karner. An ID card costs 16 euros in production. The aim is to produce 3,000 cards a day. 30,000 displaced persons have so far been recorded in Austria. Therefore, a backlog is currently to be worked off, in the future registered in Austria displaced persons received the ID card within a week.
After receiving the card and a subsequent work permit, the labor market is open to the expellees. Kocher stated that its receptivity is currently high, and it is quite possible to integrate some of the displaced persons. Whether the labor market can absorb all refugees depends on their number. Karner and Kocher reported that talks are being held to adjust the currently low additional income limit for basic services.
Source: Nachrichten
