VZCZCXRO5447
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DE RUEHVI #0082/01 0221509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221509Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4043
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 000082 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA: INTEGRATION PLAN SETS NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR 
IMMIGRANTS, WHILE PROMISING SUPPORT 
 
REF: 09 Vienna 1593 
 
VIENNA 00000082  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The Austrian Cabinet on January 19 adopted an 
"action plan" on integration that requires many immigrants to learn 
German before entering the country and enhances language 
requirements for legal residents already living in Austria.  The 
plan also aims to combat discrimination and help immigrants gain 
access to the labor market.  The text is vague in many areas and 
parliament will have to pass legislation before it can be 
implemented.  End Summary. 
 
GOA Adopts Plan 
--------------- 
 
¶2. (U) When Interior Minister Fekter (OVP) first presented the 
integration plan in December (reftel), SPO leaders refused to adopt 
it at a cabinet meeting, arguing that it lacked details and had not 
been vetted.  Nevertheless, the SPO on January 19 approved a nearly 
identical version of the plan after adding broad language on 
combating discrimation and prohibiting the exploitation of immigrant 
labor.  The text is vague in a number of areas, and parliament will 
have to pass implementing legislation before it can be put into 
effect.  Fekter has said she would like to see the process completed 
by the end of 2010. 
 
Language Requirements Enhanced 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (U) The plan requires intending immigrants to pass a test 
demonstrating basic German-language knowledge in order to qualify 
for a visa.  The tests will be administered at Austrian missions 
abroad; the GOA is hoping to rely on Germany's Goethe Institute 
facilities, located in 108 countries, to provide the necessary 
language courses.  Chancellor Faymann has indicated that it may not 
be possible to apply the language requirement for immigrants from 
countries with no Goethe Institute facility. 
 
¶4. (U) Certain applicants are exempt from the language requirement, 
including workers with essential skills, seasonal workers, and 
relatives of Austrian citizens.  The requirement also does not apply 
to asylum seekers or EU citizens.  It will mostly affect applicants 
planning to join family members who are legal residents in Austria. 
 
 
¶5. (U) The plan would also strengthen the language requirements for 
legal residents already living in Austria.  Currently, legal 
residents must take 300 hours of German lessons per year to maintain 
their status; this will now be doubled to 600 hours. 
 
Labor Market Access 
------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) Fekter maintains that the language requirement will ensure 
that immigrants are qualified to enter the labor market.  At the 
same time, the plan aims to ease access to the labor market for 
family reunification immigrants.  Currently, such immigrants are 
prohibited from working during their first year of residence in 
Austria.  The plan calls for this policy to be revised, though it's 
not clear whether the work prohibition will be revoked or simply 
shortened. 
 
¶7. (U) In another measure that Fekter maintained would improve 
access to the labor market, the plan stipulates that child support 
payments for children up to age 18 will be paid only on the 
condition that children are attending school or have demonstrated a 
willingness to participate in an apprenticeship program. 
 
Rule of Law and Values 
---------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) The document stresses that the cultural values of immigrants 
cannot be used to justify the violation of basic rights under 
Austrian law.  In this context, the plan mentions the social 
participation of women, family violence, forced marriage, and 
genital mutilation. 
 
Vague Promises of Support 
------------------------- 
 
¶9. (U) At the insistence of the SPO, the new requirements for 
immigrants have been balanced with promises of greater support.  But 
the language is vague.  For example, the text calls for reforms that 
would make it easier for foreign students to work in Austria after 
earning degrees from Austrian universities.  But it does not specify 
how this should be accomplished. 
 
¶10. (U) It is also unclear how the GOA will fulfill other goals set 
out in the text, including: 
 
-- Preventing "economic and social dumping" (i.e. the exploitation 
 
VIENNA 00000082  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
of immigrant labor) and black market labor. 
 
-- Adopting "intensive measures" to combat racism, extremism, 
xenophobia, and discrimination against immigrants. 
 
-- Increasing the number of immigrants in public service, 
particularly in law enforcement and the judiciary. 
 
-- Improving public housing for immigrants. 
 
Coordination Office 
------------------- 
 
¶11. (U) The GOA will create an office in the Interior Ministry to 
oversee implementation of the plan.  The office will also be tasked 
with monitoring how well Austria is integrating immigrants, using 
indicators developed by academic experts, and recommending policies. 
 
 
Comment: Implementation is Key 
------------------------------ 
 
¶12. (SBU) The stricter language requirements set out in the plan 
address a popular complaint about immigrants who are unable to speak 
German.  By promising to fight discrimination and ease labor market 
access, the coalition parties are attempting to show that they will 
be tough on immigration without adopting the xenophobic Freedom 
Party line.  The success of this effort will depend on how, and 
perhaps whether, the GOA manages to implement these ideas. 
 
Eacho