Austria faces lost potential as refugees work below skill levels

A study commissioned by the Vienna Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer Wien) and conducted by the research institute Forba reveals significant untapped potential among refugees in the Austrian labor market. While approximately 90,000 refugees are currently employed in Austria, most are working in positions that do not match their professional qualifications.

Key barriers to adequate employment include unclear residency statuses, insufficient recognition of foreign qualifications, and language requirements that do not always align with specific professional needs. The study notes that the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) often prioritizes immediate job placement over long-term qualification matching, which can lead to a cycle of precarious employment.

Specific challenges were identified for different demographics, such as women from Syria and Afghanistan, who face lower employment rates due to caregiving responsibilities and barriers in regulated professions. To address these issues, the Chamber of Labour is calling for reforms in asylum law and better integration of vocational training and language courses to prevent skilled refugees from losing their professional competitiveness.