"Full-time achievable"

SPÖ once again campaigns for a reduction in working hours

Eva-Maria Holzleitner and party leader Andreas Babler

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

On the occasion of Women's Day on March 8, the SPÖ has once again campaigned for a general reduction in working hours. The advantage would be that full-time work would be easier to achieve for everyone, said Red Party Women's Chairwoman Eva-Maria Holzleitner and party leader Andreas Babler on Thursday. Other demands include better wage transparency and greater recognition of parental leave periods.

Holzleitner emphasized that Austria still had a lot to do in terms of equality. Wage transparency is an extremely important lever here. It is not due to a lack of qualifications that women are paid less, "but simply due to gender discrimination". "We will not accept this injustice," Babler also said. Its abolition could actually be implemented with simple political measures.

It is not due to a lack of qualifications that women are paid less, but simply because of gender discrimination.

Rote Frauenvorsitzende Eva-Maria Holzleitner

Reduction in working hours as the key to equality
For the SPÖ, one key to equality is the - at least gradual - reduction in working hours for all. Currently, more than half of women work part-time, as there is a lack of childcare places in many regions or the opening hours are not compatible with childcare. As a first step, the SPÖ wants to push for a 35-hour working week in sectors such as care, where the physical and mental demands are enormous.

Greater recognition of parental leave 
Another political lever for the SPÖ would be the recognition of parental leave periods in pensions. This is currently based on a notional income of EUR 2163.78 - which is too low, emphasized Holzleitner. An increase would also increase the pensions of women. Holzleitner also sees the measure as a possible incentive for more men to take parental leave.

Full pay transparency
Last but not least, the SPÖ also advocates full wage transparency along the lines of the Icelandic model. This is the only way to actually compare salaries. The EU directive intended to ensure wage transparency has also been in force since June 2023. However, the government has not shown any initiatives to implement this quickly at Austrian level. Holzleitner therefore appealed to Women's Affairs Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) not to let the 2026 deadline pass until the last day.

Babler sees a "men's problem"
Incidentally, Babler sees a real "men's problem" in violent assaults on women, including femicide, i.e. murders of women committed by men.

Women's Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) wants to focus on protection against violence with an information offensive.

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

After several murders of women within a short space of time, Women's Affairs Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) now wants to launch an information campaign to protect women from violence. The aim is for women to seek help at the first sign of violence, she said on Thursday. Through a new information campaign, every woman should know where she can get help in her area, and Raab also wants to publicize the police hotline or the women's helpline.