Alarm bells are ringing in the sector. IV President Georg Knill gives the Austrian location only a satisfactory assessment and calls for reforms. He again calls for a reduction in indirect labor costs. “We are not competitive,” Knill warns in the ORF press hour on Sunday.
Knill calls for a reform of the labour market to reduce indirect labour costs. Among other things, the sector wants to transfer the employer contributions to the FLAF (family burden equalisation fund), which finances child benefits, entirely to the budget. Knill would also like to see changes and new models in wage negotiations, which should be developed in collaboration with the trade union.
Austrians have to work more again
Part-time work is a thorn in the side of the economy. “We have 25 percent less working time per year than the Americans and we retire too early.” Incentives must be created so that people switch from part-time to full-time, work longer and are also prepared to work overtime, according to Knill. “It is a myth to believe that we can maintain this welfare state with less work. With 30 percent we are a part-time country, we are the record holder in Europe.” 800,000 people work voluntarily part-time without care responsibilities, but make 100 percent use of the welfare state, Knill emphasizes. “Everyone can live as they wish, but with the consequences. Unfortunately, the attitude towards work has changed.”
Major concerns about education
When it comes to migration and a shortage of skilled workers, the industrialist warns against confusing the two. The industry wants qualified immigration of skilled workers, but not illegal mass migration, which is increasingly causing problems throughout Europe. Knill is very concerned about the lack of education among young people. Many children do not speak the local language after school. “We cannot make young people unemployed after school. Where are we please? We cannot allow that!”. Day schools and interconnected forms of education are needed.
Harsh criticism of Babler’s economic program
Knill was utterly astonished by the economic program of SPÖ leader Andreas Babler. This is aimed against the market economy and entrepreneurship. “I really have to say: social democracy has never been so anti-business as under this chairman.” New taxes are an absolute no-go for Knill. “We don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.” This is also reflected in the budget and the rising national debt. “A pension system where you have to add 16 billion from the budget is not sustainable. Reforms are needed here, not new taxes. These debates are poison for the location.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
