Nine million euros does not save the budget or an entire industry from the shortage of trained employees. And yet there has been a dispute about a tax for weeks – now the ‘Kroon’ landlord Mario Pulker is running a little further on the escalation screw and not only shoots against the Minister of Finance …
What is nine million euros in taxes with a budget hole of twelve billion euros? Not even the famous drop on the hot stone. And yet there is a hot dispute about the levy on tips that would rinse this amount in the funds of the Minister of Finance. “I don’t understand why this mini -sum does this battle with which we have to remain uncompromising, we owe our people,” Mario Pulker, spokesperson for the Austrian gastronomy, is now increasing. And refers to the sectar, which Waste 19 million euros and was abolished in 2020.
The chairman of Burgenland of the Chamber of Commerce Andreas Wirth first moved for the tip, various industrial representatives, to WKO boss and former business minister Harald Mahrer. “I can understand that the guest wants the top of tips to remain 100 percent of the employee as an appreciation for the service,” recently waved ÖGK chairman Peter McDonald to the “Krone”. Now the industry and especially Minister of Finance Markus Marterbauer (Spö) remain as a sparring partner.
Less bureaucracy – or not?
“Every increase in tips for flat rate for tips represents direct wage costs in the percentage range of multiple digitations -this must also be clear to our trade union members,” Pulker told representatives of employees. They will “defend the tip for our employees with all means”. And then get other services sectors on board. “Politicians have already ruined the industrial location, now the service location will follow.”
But about who is the measure mainly? 250,000 people work in tourism in high season. In seven of the nine federal states, a flat -rate point of tips has long been in force. In Carinthia this is, for example, 43.60 euros for a waiter with a collection per month. Styria and Salzburg have no fixed rates, tips can also be taxed higher. And this is exactly where the stone of the kick is: the new federal government is looking for A) for money and wants to unite national regulations. If she also does this with the tip, in the future in all federal states instead of the fixed ratings, depending on the monthly amount of the tip.
“A bureaucratic monster for companies, an officially orchestrated demotivation tool for employees,” says Pulker and also wants to abolish the previous fixed rates – to make the industry more attractive again. About 20,000 specialists are missing. “Our specialists are in demand all over the world, but every difficulty is an extra deep blow when looking for employees.”
Decision must be made by June
It is also clear to him that every industry must contribute to closing the budget hole: “We also have an influence on the abolition of the extra income for the unemployed. But if that helps the country, it is okay – as long as people are not driven into undisputed work. But tips are simply more than just a financial benefit, it belongs to our guest chocolate culture!”
Incidentally, the first double budget of the Triple Coalition must be decided on June 18. Until then there is still time to take measures in the newspaper – or just to remove.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
