41-hour week

Even more work? What Vienna thinks

Industry and Minister Edtstadler want more, the Chamber of Labor wants less. But what do the Viennese want? We asked them.

(Bild: Zwefo, Krone KREATIV)

Working time is and remains a controversial topic. The proposal by the Federation of Austrian Industries to extend working hours to 41 hours per week without pay compensation is causing heated debate. The Chamber of Labor wants people to work less. But what do the Viennese actually want? And what do the experts say? The "Krone" asked around.

"If we want to maintain our prosperity, we have to work more instead of less," said Constitution Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) at an event. Shortly beforehand, the Federation of Austrian Industries had even called for a 41-hour week instead of a reduction in working hours, thus starting a debate that continues to cause a great deal of excitement.

Edtstadler rowed back again on Wednesday and is not calling for longer standard working hours after all. Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) put his foot down and does not intend to comply with the request of the Federation of Austrian Industries. The Chamber of Labor, on the other hand, is insisting on a reduction in working hours with the same pay. The reason: employee productivity has risen since the 1970s and with it company profits.

Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) relies on the social partners.

(Bild: SEPA.Media KG | Michael Indra | www.sepa.media)

Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) is relying on the social partners on this issue. The representatives of employers and employees would know best about the requirements: "I am in favor of the social partners negotiating the working hours. Different regulations already apply depending on the sector. Employer and employee representatives know best about the current requirements."

What economic experts say about the idea of a 41-hour week
Economists see this as a sham debate. We have other problems, which are also linked to immigration. Working 41 hours a week, as the IV wants, or 32 hours, as SPÖ leader Babler has in mind?

For WIFO boss Gabriel Felbermayr, this is more of a sham debate. There are bigger problems. "There are more people, we have a lot of immigration, but at the same time the number of hours worked is decreasing or stagnating," says Felbermayer. That doesn't go together. "It's important that we do more to make work pay." How? Through good wages and a reduction in non-wage labor costs, according to the economist.

For 50 years

In Austria, the statutory standard working week has been 40 hours for 50 years.

IHS expert Helmut Hofer believes that a 41-hour week would have no chance of being implemented. And it would probably not bring the hoped-for savings for companies. "The trade unions will not put up with this and will exert pressure in wage negotiations to compensate for this."

Momentum expert Joel Toelgyes is in favor of fewer working hours per week: "There are currently 4.09 jobseekers for every vacancy. The real question should be: 'How do we spread the work over more shoulders? 'How do we keep individual shoulders in work even longer?" Studies would show positive aspects of a 32-hour week. Toelgyes: "Productivity increases, sickness rates and burn-out rates fall."

Agenda Austria boss Franz Schellhorn sees another danger: "Far too many Austrians work too little." This is not about the hard-working full-time employees, but about part-time work.

Part-time work is subsidized by the state and is therefore becoming increasingly popular. This could ultimately topple the welfare state. Schellhorn has a recipe for the government to make full-time work more attractive: "Lower taxes from the middle of the income bracket."

"Working even more? I can't imagine that"
 And what do the Viennese want? The "Krone" asked around on the streets of Döbling. It's a controversial topic. But one thing seems certain: those who are already eagerly pursuing their full-time job no longer want to work.

I have a four-day week and work ten hours a day in sales. I can't imagine working any more at the moment.

Michelle K. (23) Angestellte

Bild: Zwefo

It seems to me that nobody wants to work any more. I've worked full-time all my life. Demanding a reduction in working hours is dreaming!

Hans R. (84) Pensionist

Bild: Zwefo

I rarely leave the office for less than 40 hours a week. We need a reduction in working hours now. As always, Austria is lagging behind.

Judith H. (50) Köchin

Bild: Zwefo

The standard working time of 40 hours per week should remain. But I can understand that young people in particular want to have more free time.

Brigitte R. (82) Pensionistin

Bild: Zwefo

The working time debate is unnecessary. Nothing should be changed. The only question is how long the economy will be able to bear all this.

Peter M. (56), selbstständig

Bild: Zwefo