Posted on 03/04/2002 5:01:27 AM PST by NativeNewYorker
Vienna (dpa) - Immigrants from outside the E.U. will have to pass German courses within four years or else be expelled from Austria, the government said on Monday.
Foreigners arriving in the country would also have to show a health certificate.
Presenting a new ``integration contract'', the government said the foreigners would have to pay 50 per cent of the cost of the language courses themselves.
The other half would be paid out of public funds or by the foreigner's employer. |
The German courses would be mandatory for non-E.U. citizens who had arrived in Austria after January 1, 1998, said top government officials including Interior Minister Ernst Strasser.
The courses would be 100 hours at least, and the cost nearly 400 euros (345 dollars) per person. Taught would be not only the German language, but also ``basic organizational processes, and knowledge of the country and state''.
If the immigrant completed the course in 18 months, the residence permit would be extended for two years, if not, for one year.
Those failing after 18 months would be sanctioned. They would have to pay 75 per cent of the further courses themselves, and after two years, 100 per cent.
There would be an additional ``administrative fine'' of 100 euros after two years, and 200 euros after three.
If the immigrants had not started their course after three years, or completed it after four, they would lose their residence permits altogether.
The other new introduction was the health certificate. The government said that when submitted on entry to the country, it must not be more than 90 days old.
The exact content was still to be decided on. It would be orientated on ``a European catalogue''.
Presenting its new ``integration'' program, the government did not comply with frequent opposition demands that all foreigners who are allowed to live in Austria should automatically be allowed to work as well.
The new regulations also expanded the use of temporary ``seasonal'' workers.
These workers would no longer be limited to the traditional areas of tourism and agriculture, but could also be employed elsewhere.
A seasonal worker would get a work permit for six months, which could be extended for another six months.
But after that, at least two months must lapse before a further permit could be applied for.
Strasser said the new regulations would go into force on January 1 next year.
It only remains for Austria to graft itself onto CEFTA, add one (1) Habsburg, and knead gently.
Hong Kong is a former Brit colony, Japanese tend to speak English pretty well and the French get British tourists (but will often refuse to speak English). Italy would seem to be the only one that would not have a natural English tie-in.
But, of course, the more advanced the country, the more educated the populace and the more English speakers there are.
Please explain what this has to do with learning the language / culture of a country you're planning on relocating to?
Corrected:*My question is this: If you couldn't tell by looking at it whether the train you were waiting for (or had actually boarded) was a local or an express, why do you think that someone else should? Besides, your example makes it appear that your wanting them to learn English is more for your benefit than for their own.
Why can't we do that in the United States? Have all foreigners learn English. OR All foreigners should be forced to learn English. After all, it would be for their benefit, too. Do you know how frustrating it is in New York to ask someone on the subway whether it's an express or a local and to have him just look at you blankly and say, "Don't speak English"? OR Do you know how frustrating it is to ask someone on the New York subway whether the train you're waiting for is an express or a local and to have him just give you a blank look and say, "Don't speak English"? You wonder how he can get around at all.
We're close to a world where English, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese alone will cover nearly all of the developed world.
In spite of this language barrier the Germans took home the most metals.
So go back to DU, loser.
And, note as well that, perhaps if english were given more weight in our schools - before learning how to properly respect our illegal immigrant attendees - the likes of us, the rest of us, could be as erudite as yourself.
Regarding your #20, "...there are the same kind of idiots over there as over here. As Paul McCartney said, "People are the same wherever you go.".
Yes, people are generally the same. Unfortunately, when they cannot communicate, by accident or design, being the same helps not a whit. When they come into your house and ignore your rules, rights, and institutions; sameness no longer counts.
Austria is attempting to hold it's own against the NWO - not a bad concept at all.
Or his doppleganger.
Now where would I find the font for an umlaut?
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