Arbeitsmarktservice Wien / Labour Market Service Vienna
Construction Unemployed
Portraits of unemployed construction workers (at the time of picture taking) in Vienna, Austria, who were attending compulsory job search trainings by the Public Employment Services Austria.
The portraits were taken at training centers of the Labour Market Services Austria in Vienna.
Despite the fact that compulsory job search trainings are a well meant offer by the Employment Services they are also a strong tool in stigmatizing unemployed people. This is especially true for construction workers who are often laid off during the winter months just to be rehired in spring as soon as the construction business picks up again. Many construction workers feel bullied into these trainings and are uncomfortable when having to explain to their immediate social environment why they have to attend a job search training.