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What problems can I discuss with the UNDOK Drop-in Center?
0:00/You’ll find a list of problems here.
Can see your problem? Then come to the UNDOK Drop-in Center. We’ll assist you!
I haven’t received my (full) pay.
The following apply to most jobs: Your boss must pay you the minimum wage. The minimum wage is the lowest pay allowed. The minimum wage varies depending on your job and what you do.
In addition to your wage, you’ll usually also get a 13th and 14th month of pay. This is also called “holiday pay” (Urlaubsgeld) and “Christmas bonus” (Weihnachtsgeld).
I have to work more hours than agreed.
If you work more hours than agreed or have to work on a Sunday or public holiday, you will also receive more money for this in most industries (for example on construction sites, in cleaning, gastronomy…). This is called overtime or Sunday and holiday bonuses.
The law sets maximum working hours for employees. In Austria, that’s 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week with overtime. However: this cannot be your normal working hours. That means: you shouldn’t always work so many hours.
After 6 hours of work, you must have a break of at least 30 minutes. Once a week, you must have a break of 36 hours. In most industries, there must be at least 11 hours between two working days, during which you do not work. That’s called a rest period.
I’m working without a social security number. / I don’t have health insurance.
The law is clear: your employer must register you with the social security authorities.
That means: you will receive medical care. You are also entitled to a pension and you have unemployment insurance.
Important:
Being registered with the social security office does not automatically give you a work permit. Your employer must apply for your work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) separately!
My boss suddenly fired me.
If your employment is terminated, there is a notice period of at least six weeks (Kündigungsfrist). If your boss does not comply with this deadline, you will receive money (termination compensation – Kündigungsentschädigung).
Important:
Termination (Kündigung) and dismissal (Entlassung) are not the same! Dismissal without notice is possible. For example, if you have made a serious mistake at work.
I’m working without a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung).
Some residence permits require you to have a work permit. For example, as an asylum seeker with a white card or as a student from a non-EU country.
You are not allowed to work without a work permit. Your boss must apply for your work permit with the AMS (Public Employment Service Austria).
Important:
- The AMS will send you a copy of the work permit by post. You are only allowed to start working when you have received this copy!
- The work permit applies only to this specific job. It has a maximum validity of 1 year. After that, your boss must apply for a new work permit.
My boss says that I’m working as a self-employed person or with a trade licence (Gewerbeschein). What does that mean?
Working as a self-employed person means:
You work with or without a trade licence and at your own risk and for your own account. You are your own boss. No labor laws apply to you because you are not an employee.
The following problem often occurs: many people are officially self-employed, but in reality their work is employer-based. That’s called bogus self-employment (Scheinselbstständigkeit).
Examples of bogus self-employment:
You are officially self-employed, but…
- you use the car, bicycle or tools of the company or your boss.
- you are given instructions on how to do the work.
- you are not allowed to get someone else to do the work for you, but must do it yourself.
Are you unsure about whether you are working self-employed or not? Come to us at the UNDOK Drop-in Center! We’ll discuss your situation.
My employer threatens or harasses me.
That is not allowed! Come to UNDOK for advice.
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When can I get advice? Where can I find you?
0:00/We provide advice over the phone, by email or in person.
We advise you free of charge, anonymously and in your language.
You can bring your own interpreter or we can organise one for you.
You can visit us in person
every Monday 9am – 12pm and
every Wednesday 3pm – 6pm.
No appointment needed!
ÖGB/Catamaran Building, Ground Floor, Johann-Böhm-Platz 1, 1020 Vienna (U2 Donaumarina)
You can also call us or write us an email:
beratung@undok.at
You can also write to us via the contact form:
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I am not in Vienna. / I no longer work or live in Austria. Can you still provide me with advice?
0:00/Yes, we’d be happy to advise you. Call us or send us an email:
beratung@undok.at
You can also write to us via the contact form:
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Who else can help me?
0:00/UNDOK works with various other organisations. These organisations also provide free advice and the initial consultation is anonymous.
Zu diesen Themen empfehlen wir dir diese Stellen:
Residency/asylum:
Caritas Wien Asylzentrum (Caritas Wien Asylum Centre)
Caritas Wien Fremdenrechtsberatung (Caritas Wien Asylum Legal Advice)
Deserteurs- und Flüchtlingsberatung (Counsellors for Deserters and Refugees)
Ehe ohne Grenzen (Marriage without borders)
Recognition of qualifications:
Beratungszentrum für Migranten und Migrantinnen (Counselling center for migrants)
Suspicion of human trafficking (for example, your boss has your passport, you live with your boss):
24-hour care:
Health / lack of health insurance:
Housing
Labor law advice for EU/EEA citizens:
Arbeiterkammer (Chamber of Labor)
You can ask the Vienna Chamber of Labor about organising an interpreter.
Muttersprachliche Beratung beim Österreichischen Gewerkschaftsbund (ÖGB) (Native language counselling at the Austrian Trade Union Federation)
Counselling is available in Arabic, Bulgarian, Romanian, Russian and Ukrainian
If you work without papers but do not live in Austria
On the PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants) website, you will find organisations in over 30 countries that support undocumented migrants (see “Member List”).
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I have further questions…
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What happens at the UNDOK Drop-in Center?
0:00/You tell us about your situation and can ask questions.
We take time for you and your problems.
We will not tell anyone your name.
We will not tell anyone your situation.
We believe you!
Our counsellors will talk to you about your options for asserting your rights. For example, if you don’t get paid or don’t have health insurance.
You can collect evidence for your work yourself and take it with you to the counselling session.
We’ll look at it carefully to see what it means for your residence status.
Sometimes we will tell you what next steps might be good for you to take. But nothing will be done without your consent.
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Who can visit the UNDOK Drop-in Center?
0:00/People who come from a country that isn’t in the EU or EEA.
People who are working in Austria without papers (residence permit or work permit)
and
who get paid less for their work than agreed
who do not have health insurance
or who have other problems at work.
You are not alone! Come to us at the UNDOK Drop-in Center. We’ll discuss your situation and look at how you can exercise your rights. We’ll also see what that means for your residence.
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What happens if I complain about my boss?
0:00/Our counsellors will talk to you about your options for asserting your rights.
Sometimes we will tell you what next steps might be good for you to take. But nothing will be done without your consent. For example, we will only contact your boss if you want us to.
We will also look at what it means for your residence in Austria if, for example, you take your pay complaint to court.
We take time for you and your problems.
We do not work with the police, immigration authorities or your boss!
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Is UNDOK a government authority or institution?
0:00/No. UNDOK is an independent association. UNDOK works with migrants and NGOs (for example: Helping Hands, Flucht nach Vorn, asylkoordination, LEFÖ-IBF, neunerhaus), trade unions and the Chamber of Labor (Arbeiterkammer).
We do not work with the police or the immigration authorities. That means: we do not pass on any information about your residence permit.
Neither do we work with your employer.
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What happens to the information I provide?
0:00/At UNDOK, you can get anonymous advice. That means: you don’t have to tell us any personal information (for example, name, place of work) during the counselling session. If you give us information, we won’t share it if you don’t want us to.
We will only need your name when we contact your employer on your behalf. In this case, we’ll ask you whether we can save your name and other details.
We will not store any of your data that we do not need.
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