Crisis on the labor market

Styrian government pushes for more short-time work

Four members of the provincial government at the summit: Doris Kampus, Christopher Drexler, Anton Lang and Barbara Eibinger-Miedl

(Bild: LandSteiermark/Binder)

Unemployment is rising and the economic slump continues: The state government therefore hosted a summit meeting in Graz. Afterwards, the federal government called for more use to be made of short-time working.

Unemployment in Styria has already been rising for 19 months and, according to AMS Managing Director Karl-Heinz Snobe, this will not change until well into next year. Added to this is the ongoing recession, which is hitting industry, which is so important for Styria, particularly hard. The provincial government therefore hosted a summit meeting at Graz Castle on Wednesday with representatives from all provincial parliamentary parties, interest groups and social partners.

As announced in advance, no major package of measures was presented afterwards, but the problem situation was discussed. However, two statements from the head of government did raise some eyebrows: Governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP) wants to lobby the federal government to make greater use of short-time working again. This measure is currently handled very restrictively. When the "Krone" asked Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, State Councillor for Economic Affairs, about this issue in the summer, there was no clear statement on the subject.

Drexler is also pushing for non-wage labor costs to be reduced. In this he is in agreement with many entrepreneurs. Deputy Governor Anton Lang (SPÖ), who is responsible for finance, emphasized that the state wants to help overcome the current difficult economic situation with further investments despite the tight financial situation.