The state cuts in

High tax burden: Is full-time work still worthwhile?

Almost a third of all employees in Austria have a part-time job.

(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

If you work full-time, it's your own fault. Because they quickly find themselves at a tax disadvantage. On the other hand, those who work on a tight budget either don't work at all or reduce their hours and tap into the state instead. This is at the expense of everyone else. A dangerous trend.

Performance. Advancement. Security. This was the title of Bruno Kreisky's economic program with which he was elected Federal Chancellor in 1970. Kreisky was inspired by the higher goal of the state creating the framework conditions that would enable every Austrian to achieve social advancement through their own efforts. 54 years later, little has remained of this.