‘Illiterate’ asylum seekers could be forced to work for 87p an hour in Austria

MIGRANTS in Austria could be forced to do menial work for 87p an hour – or lose their benefits.

In comments that have incensed the country’s left wingers, Austria’s Foreign Minister, Sebastian Kurz, said many asylum seekers were “illiterate” and should be made to carry out community work.

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This would see them do street cleaning or gardening jobs for one euro an hour, he said.

He added that a ban on full face veils is under consideration.

Opposition parties said the scheme was “one step away from slavery”.

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At a press conference Mr Kurz said: “It was reported last year that many refugees are highly skilled, but in fact many are not.

“Among those from Afghanistan alone, there are many that are illiterate.”

The attack followed a report that there were 88,340 asylum applications in Austria last year – and there were 1.8 million people in Austria with migrant backgrounds.

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Austria is in the grip of a huge political battle as the far right grows in popularity.

A presidential election that saw far right Norbert Hofer lose by a percentage point in May is being re-run in October.

Denmark was panned earlier this year for proposing plans to confiscate migrants' cash and wealthy possessions to finance their stay in the country.