vida-Hebenstreit: "Unemployment is rising – stop further labour migration via the Red-White-Red Card!"

The current AMS figures paint an alarming picture: over 367,000 people are unemployed or in training, +4.2% in August. In this situation, the trade union vida warns of additional wage pressure due to further openings of the Red-White-Red Card and calls for a clear offensive for qualification, fair wages and secure jobs.

"In such a situation ... irresponsible"

Instead of securing the people in the country, the government wants to bring in even more workers from abroad. "This intensifies wage dumping, makes employees more susceptible to blackmail and intensifies the pressure on wages and working conditions," Hebenstreit points out, emphasizing: "Right now, there must be an end to this policy at the expense of employees."

This is what vida demands – at a glance

• Immediate stop to the further opening of the Red-White-Red Card
• Massive investments in qualification and further training of domestic workers
• Fair wages and secure jobs as the most effective means of combating the shortage of skilled workers
• Strict controls against exploitation and undeclared work

Autumn collective bargaining agreement: Securing purchasing power, stabilising the economy

With a view to the upcoming collective bargaining rounds, Hebenstreit specifies: "Especially in those sectors that are still growing, we need strong wage increases to secure the purchasing power of employees. This is the only way we can stabilise the economy and thus the labour market."

Full-time work must be attractive and enable a good life - "otherwise the foundation of our economic model will break away," said the vida chairman. "Just because part of the industry is currently having problems, you can't ruin an entire country. We need an offensive wage policy that gives employees security and strengthens demand – anything else would be a dangerous aberration."

Training instead of cheap programs

The shortage of skilled workers is greatest where the pay is poor . "If you really want sustainable solutions, you have to create apprenticeships and ensure fair pay," said Hebenstreit. In view of youth unemployment of 11.6%, the government and companies are particularly challenged. "If you want skilled workers for the future, you have to train them – and not bring them in from abroad through cheap programs," Hebenstreit concluded.

In brief: What is the Red-White-Red Card?

The Red-White-Red Card is an immigration instrument for qualified third-country nationals. It is intended to recruit skilled workers. vida criticizes a further opening in times of rising unemployment, because this can create additional wage pressure .

Fact box (for a quick overview)

• 367,000+ Unemployed or in training (AMS)
• +4.2% Unemployment in August
• 11.6% Youth unemployment
• vida demands: Stop the opening of the RWR card, expand qualification , increase wages, tighten controls