Around 250 asylum seekers in eight quarters in the Steyr area are taking part in the pilot operation, reported Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and State Councillor for Integration Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (both ÖVP) in a press release on Monday.
- Read also: Payment card for asylum seekers from July: Questions and answers about the test operation
In a second phase, asylum seekers in private accommodation will also receive cards starting in the autumn. Based on the pilot operation in Upper Austria, the benefit-in-kind card will then be put out to tender for full nationwide operation.
This is how the card works: The basic care benefit is booked onto the credit-based debit card. Asylum seekers receive a daily food allowance of seven euros, minors receive five euros. The benefits for minors are booked onto the adult card. Bookings are made twice a month.
“Signal against abuse of benefits”
The card is another important step in the fight against illegal migration, said Karner. With the pilot operation, “we are sending a clear signal that we are taking consistent action against the misuse of benefits and are also making the payment process more efficient,” explained Hattmannsdorfer.
Upper Austria’s Green Party spokeswoman for integration, Ines Vukajlović, criticized the fact that a “sensible card” could have been introduced. “A uniform card system that makes the work of the sponsoring organizations easier and is implemented in a well-considered manner. But a quick signal to the right was more important.”
My themes
For your bookmarked topics
new articles found.
info By clicking on the icon you add the keyword to your topics.
info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. You have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
info By clicking on the icon you remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.
Source: Nachrichten
