But no monthly salary – care: fuss about Corona bonus as a ‘cheat package’

Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) presented his concept for the long-awaited reform on “Care Day” in May this year. The biggest bite of 520 million euros was a bonus of about an extra monthly salary. The amount has now been laid down in the Wage Increase Target Committee Act, which has been passed on to the “Krone”.

Countries consider to hurry
According to this, healthcare workers receive 2,000 euros in addition to their December wages – although gross, so before taxes. This is now calling on critics into action, because it is this profession that is said to have done the hard work in the corona pandemic. As has been learned behind the scenes, individual states are now considering properly replenishing the net…

90,000 employees needed
In any case, healthcare will remain a spearhead: 90,000 additional employees will be needed in Austria by 2030. Filling these vacancies is also central to the reform in the implementation phase. However, by the time this is finished, it may already be outdated. Others would already be there, warns the aid organization. “The barriers in Germany are much lower,” says Stefan Fritz of aid organization International. In addition, there is a lack of strategies and agreements with other countries.

In Austria, a strategic approach is failing due to discrepancies between the Red-White-Red Card and professional law, as well as the lengthy and expensive validation of foreign training. And the internships should also be given a new foundation. “There are simply not enough training places and trainers,” warns Elisabeth Anselm, director of the Austrian aid organization.