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Federal Minister Raab sees an opportunity to use synergy effects
Vienna (PK) – Today the National Council approved the amendment to the Federal Ministries Law by a large majority. The agendas for the family and youth are withdrawn from the Ministry of Labor and transferred to the Federal Chancellery, that is, to the Minister for Women and Integration, Susanne Raab. This gives the new Labor Minister Martin Kocher the opportunity to focus on the currently particularly important area of the labor market, the ÖVP and the Greens justify this step.
The SPÖ maintained its call to return to a common department of labor and social affairs, already expressed in the constitutional committee, and rejected the change. Social Democratic deputies are also critical of unifying agendas for women and families in one ministry. The FPÖ has no objections to the change in the distribution of tasks within the government, but doubts that Minister Raab can enforce her agendas in the federal government with more force than her predecessor. NEOS expressed certain reservations about the new division of responsibilities. But they also see it as an opportunity for a contemporary politics of family, women and youth.
SPÖ: Merging the agendas of family and women sends the wrong signal
Andrea Kuntzl (SPÖ) did not agree with the change in the ministry structure. The transfer of family and youth to the Ministry of Women is problematic because it subordinates the concerns of women to family agendas. That is the wrong signal, especially in the current crisis. Rather, a separate women’s ministry would be appropriate. The labor and social affairs departments should also be merged due to their contextual context. Removing youth issues from the Ministry of Labor is also a misstep for Kuntzl in view of the high level of youth unemployment. From his point of view, it is not appropriate to free the minister from family agendas. Here too Kuntzl sees the wrong signal.
Selma Yildirim (SPÖ) added to this criticism. An outdated family image and incorrect prioritization are expressed here. Particularly in view of the current crisis, the family and youth policy should be seen primarily as a labor market policy and resolved there. Christian Drobits (SPÖ) saw a failure of the federal government in dealing with the crown crisis. The reorganization of the ministries is not an improvement, but a purely cosmetic measure. The rights of children and young people must not get in the way.
ÖVP: Department allocation makes sense and allows synergies
ÖVP MPs Irene Neumann-Gerstl and Wolfgang Gerstl were convinced that the new division of responsibilities made sense. In view of the challenges of the current crisis with a high rate of reduced working hours and unemployment, it makes sense if the Minister of Labor can focus precisely on this area, the two agreed. The recovery of the economy and the labor market are urgent tasks, Gerstl said. From his point of view, it makes sense to tackle the problems of women and families together. Minister Raab will undoubtedly handle these new tasks in an ideal way. Elisabeth Pfurtscheller (ÖVP) believes that the new distribution of competencies offers opportunities to use synergies. Federal Minister Raab has your full support for this.
FPÖ calls for better family support and the opening of schools
Edith Mühlberghuber (FPÖ) criticized the constant shifting of family and youth agendas between departments. He also criticized what he saw as the slowness in aid payments for families. The “permanent blockade” is a particularly heavy burden on families. In addition to severe psychological stress, the current situation is causing an exacerbation of social inequality. She vehemently called for schools to be opened quickly. Hermann Brückl (FPÖ) joined in the criticism of the school closings. The transfer of powers for children and young people to the Federal Chancellery sends the wrong signal in view of the fact that the Federal Chancellor adheres to the completely wrong policy of closing schools.
The Greens want to redouble their efforts in the fight against child poverty
The current federal government has achieved more in women’s politics than previous federal governments in several decades, said Meri Disoski (Greens) in the leadership of the SPÖ. Federal Minister Raab also understood very well how to differentiate between family and women’s politics, rejected criticism of the division of responsibilities.
The Federal Government faces the challenge of overcoming the current crisis, but also of monitoring the time after, said Barbara Neßler (Greens). The crisis has made issues such as the multiple burden of women and the risk of poverty for families even clearer. However, a series of measures have already been implemented to cushion the greatest difficulties, the deputy stressed. New steps must be taken against child poverty. Above all, this means providing even more support for single-parent families. She was sure it would be successful, Neßler said.
NEOS calls for a contemporary family image and a strengthening of youth policy
NEOS are not against changing agendas between departments, argued Michael Bernhard (NEOS). However, they would keep a close eye on whether real improvements are being made; He recalled, for example, numerous setbacks in payments to the families of the fund for difficult situations. The situation of many families and especially of single parents remains dire and therefore the emergency fund 2.0 proposed by NEOS is urgently needed. A basic problem is that unpaid family work continues to be mainly for women. Here you have to create a new contemporary family image.
Yannick Shetty (NEOS) sees a possibility that the new department division can group and strengthen issues of socio-political relevance in one hand. Children and young people in particular are suffering from the crisis, Federal Minister Raab must be a strong advocate for them, also for the other departments.
Federal Minister Raab wants to strengthen parental involvement and equal rights for women at all levels
Federal Minister Susanne Raab emphasized that she was aware that she was assuming her new responsibilities at a very difficult time. However, the federal government is doing everything it can to support families and youth in crisis as much as possible. It considers that its task is to guarantee good framework conditions for families in all their forms and facets. This also includes the freedom of choice for parents, for whom a good range of child care services is the foundation. It’s particularly important for Raab to give young people perspective. The opportunity to choose the right career is a central point that he also wants to work closely with the Minister of Labor Kocher.
The government program provides for a strict approach to youth policy, which she wants to continue. Grouping the politics of women and the family in a single department is not in itself a contradiction in terms, said the minister. Rather, there is the opportunity to use many synergies. Raab sees a key task for modern family policy as increasing parental involvement and strengthening shared responsibility for raising and caring for children, as well as supporting single parents. The minister defines the women’s policy as a policy of equal rights at all levels. It considers that strengthening protection against violence against women is another central task. (Continued from National Council) sox
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