Austrian government approves new employment rules

Austria's government approved on 21 February 2017 a set of new employment rules to ensure workers already in the country were givern priority for new jobs over potential immigrants from other EU member states. This was justified as an attempt to halt an increase in unemployment.

These plans were seen as potentially undermining the EU's principle of free movement of people. Under the new set of rules, EU nationals already resident in Austria would also enjoy priority along with Austrian citizens over newcomers.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Austrian coalition averts risk of collapse with deal on policy goals http://www.europeansources.info/record/austrian-coalition-averts-risk-of-collapse-with-deal-on-policy-goals/

The Local.at, 21.02.17: Austrian government agrees on plan to boost jobs http://www.thelocal.at/20170221/austrian-government-agrees-on-plan-to-boost-jobs

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