Solidarisches Salzburg

On August 3rd, Solidarity Salzburg organised a public, open discussion about being rich and poor in Salzburg. The discussion took place in the historic city centre, just opposite the festival hall. A cake was drawn on the street, illustrating the distribution of wealth in Austria: while more than half of the cake belongs to the richest 10% of the population, the poorer 50% have to share 2,5% of Austria's wealth. For more than two hours there was a discussion with an international audience, in which people shared their personal experiences, debated possibilities to improve the current system, but also uttered fundamental criticism against the system. Thus participants had the possibility to raise their own awareness and to further develop their opinion.

Solidarity Salzburg asked citizens of Salzburg what they expect and hope for from the Austrian presidency of the EU-council. The idea is to make Salzburg's population heard, to raise awareness for European questions and to encourage people to think and discuss about these issues. Thus, we also feature differing opinions, which are not those of Solidarity Salzburg.

Franz*, 57, married, graduate engineer, was a highly specialised sales representative and could buy his own apartment, for which there are still payments due. His product loses value on the market and Franz is dismissed. He completes re-training to become an IT technician, but, despite his considerable efforts, does not find a new job. For some time, Franz has now received unemployment assistance. Without such assistance, he would have to mortgage his flat, or even sell it. Cuts in unemployment assistance mean cuts in social security.

Under the label “Unemployment Benefit new” the Austrian governmant plans cuts in unemployment assistance. The social security system in Austria would be weakened, as it happened in Germany with Hartz IV. Those affected would then be depended the needsbased minimum benefit system instead of unemployment assistance.

That means: * the minimum benefit system does not pay money for the retirement fund * you are only eligible for the minimum benefit system if everybody in the same household has an income which is too low * the state has access to your personal savings above € 4.000,-.

The consequences: * the savings account for the education of the children has to be closed * or perhaps the car or the flat itself has to be sold.