Youth Secretary of State Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) has announced that in the future it will also be possible to complete civil service (at least in cases of hardship) in stages. The regional councilor responsible for civil service, Susanne Rosenkranz (FPÖ), criticizes this. “I don’t think that’s a well-thought-out idea, not only because of the administrative effort: On the one hand, there is already the possibility of a special leave of absence in urgent cases, on the other hand, the civil servant is already entitled to two weeks’ vacation,” she explains.
From their point of view, however, it should be possible to postpone community service because of one’s studies. The 9-month service should also be able to be completed after the training, at the latest by the age of 28. “Currently, it is generally not possible to get a postponement because you are studying for civilian service. It’s just unfair,” she says. Education is important. It is not clear why young men are restricted here.
“The civil service in Austria basically needs dynamism instead of managing the standstill. Rather half-baked ideas will hardly help to make civil service fit for the future. The State Secretary responsible had two years to develop a viable concept. Unfortunately, it remains a despondent patchwork and pale little reforms,” criticizes Rosenkranz.
The fact that renewals are urgently needed in this area is underpinned by reference to the demographic development: Due to the low birth rate, there are fewer and fewer recruits, while at the same time the number of unfit people is increasing. Around one in four is now unfit due to physical or psychological problems. “Different organizations have different needs. Not every civil servant has to be 100 percent fit, for example for a desk job. It is quite reasonable for civil service institutions to indicate a minimum level of fitness when assessing needs,” she says. As a result, fully capable civil servants could be assigned to the blue light organizations and fill up the contingents there, says the state councilor.
Rosenkranz wants to make care and nature conservation priorities
In addition, Rosenkranz calls for the introduction of priority programs. Where there is a need for action and a lack of resources in the public interest, the civil service agency must concentrate the impact of the operations. The areas of “care and support” as well as “nature and environmental protection” are available here. In Lower Austria alone there is a wealth of nature conservation institutions that could be considered here, says the provincial councilor, who is also responsible for nature conservation.
“Carrying out community service – just like serving in the army – is something meaningful, and young people can be won over to it. It is the task of politicians to ensure that the service tightens the social and ecological network,” she says.
