Life is getting more expensive

“It’s no longer possible”

AK President Markus Wieser is fully committed to the power of social partnership. "We need sensible cooperation without any ideological bias," he says in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper.

(Bild: AK NÖ)

Life is getting more expensive, the tax burden is the topic of conversation. But the "Krone" also spoke with Chamber of Labor President Markus Wieser about the future of the job market.

"Krone": President Wieser, rent, energy, food, commuting - everything is getting more expensive. Can employees in Lower Austria still afford to live?
Markus Wieser: It is becoming increasingly difficult for the 600,000 employees. There are people who paid 540 euros in rent a year ago in March, and in December it was 970 euros. I have written to Finance Minister Magnus Brunner that we need to help here with a package of measures.

Has everything only become more expensive in recent years?
It actually started in 2007 with the financial crisis. Since then, there have been many crises that have had to be overcome. But it's not acceptable for workers and employees to foot the bill alone - that's no longer an option!

A second important topic: will machines soon be working instead of us?
To put this into perspective: humans account for around 60 percent of value creation in Germany, while 40 percent comes from robotics, machines, artificial intelligence or other systems. However, taxes and duties come from this 60 percent, and that has to change.

The world is changing and this must also be taken into account when it comes to taxes and contributions and the financing of social insurance, unemployment and sickness benefits.

AK-NÖ-Präsident Markus Wieser

So a - highly controversial - machine tax?
No, a fair system that includes and takes account of new technologies. 70 years ago, human labor was still responsible for 90 percent of value creation. The world is changing and this must also be taken into account when it comes to taxes and contributions and the financing of social insurance, unemployment and sickness benefits.

The tax burden is currently the subject of heated debate ...
80 percent of taxes are paid by employees. That shows exactly who is shouldering the financial burden.

How much work do we do in Lower Austria?
Since 2013, 120 million fewer hours have been worked in Austria than in previous years. Yet there are 350,000 more employees. This shows that more people are working part-time or less.

So is part-time work popular and the new working model?
Often not. But in order to enable more people to work full-time, childcare in the afternoons must be greatly expanded. Commuting should also be noticeably reduced, for example through a deduction for everyone.

Head of the "Krone Niederösterreich" newspaper Lukas Lusetzky in conversation with Markus Wieser, President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Labor

(Bild: AK NÖ)

How should Lower Austria develop?
It is important that businesses are attracted to the region. Further incentives need to be created in the regions for this. Unfortunately, little has happened in this respect recently. It is also important that we create new opportunities for traditional skilled work. We support this with career guidance programs and courses.

Aren't large companies more likely to move away?
If we focus on quality in the country, they won't. The country has a lot to offer. The skilled personnel can also offer something enormous in international comparison.

The Chamber of Labor elections are currently underway. Your - non-political - tip?
My non-political tip: whether you vote at work or with a voting card, be sure to vote! Because every vote is a foundation for employee representation.