"It was an honor"

After the salary turmoil in the WKO: Mahrer speaks now

(Bild: Jöchl Martin)

An internal crisis meeting was held on Sunday following the turmoil surrounding the hefty pay rises in the Chamber of Commerce. The 52-year-old President Harald Mahrer, who has come under severe pressure, held a press conference on Monday morning in which he reported on the results of the summit (see video above). At the same time, he drew a first - surprising - personal consequence ...

Monday morning, 12th floor of the Chamber of Commerce. Fantastic view over Vienna in the Christoph Leitl Lounge. His successor Harald Mahrer as WKO President has something to announce. Especially on his own behalf. Recently, there has been a huge uproar about the salary increases in the chamber and the fat salaries of top officials. And all this in times of austerity. The President appeared at 11.07 a.m. and the countless cameras clicked.

Mahrer refers to the culture of error in the economy
"I understand that the discussions have aroused great emotion. I hear and feel the criticism - and it is also very close to my heart. I take it very seriously. We have something in business that is very pronounced. It's called error culture," emphasized Mahrer in his opening statement.

I understand that the discussions have aroused great emotions. I hear and feel the criticism - and it is also very close to my heart.

Wirtschaftskammerpräsident Harald Mahrer

Mahrer asked a question of confidence
According to Mahrer, the summit with the presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and the nine provincial chambers on Sunday took place at his request and was very constructive. He had asked the question of confidence and all those present had expressed their trust in him. Mahrer: "The answers were clear and positive." However, those present had called for "certain reforms".

Chamber of Commerce President Harald Mahrer remains in office despite fierce criticism from within his own ranks of his approach to the salary debate. But he is giving up one post anyway.(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

Mahrer gives up position at the National Bank
The 52-year-old then made people sit up and take notice with his first personal consequence: "I have decided to give up my position at the National Bank!" There will be a clean handover "in the near future". The timing for his departure was ideal anyway, the ex-PR entrepreneur said, referring to the new appointments at the National Bank (OeNB). "It was a great honor and pleasure for me. But I also have to say: I have to disappoint some people who thought that I would be quieter now. I will continue to be loud."

Mahrer remains WKO President and head of the Wirtschaftsbund
His departure from the National Bank is not about his salary, even if the accumulation of salaries was heavily criticized, but about "focusing on the task" in the WKO. It was about "not doing things by halves". Mahrer remains President of the Chamber of Commerce and head of the ÖVP sub-organization Wirtschaftsbund.

I have to disappoint some people who thought that I would now become quieter. I will continue to be loud.

Harald Mahrer

This is what will happen in the WKO
But what consequences will there be in the WKO after the fee uproar? Mahrer: "We have identified three areas of action. We will invite employee representatives to review the systematic adjustment of salaries. It's about perception and trust." 

The aim is to apply the new calculation as early as next year for the 2027 salary increase. The formula currently used, which has led to a 4.2 percent increase this year, while many companies have agreed wage increases below inflation, has proven to be "not crisis-resistant".

Harald Mahrer(Bild: Jöchl Martin)

Point two concerns the compensation of officials. "We want a new system, which should also be audited by the Court of Auditors." According to Mahrer, the system has been criticized for many years. "We face up to transparent criticism."

Structures and services are being reviewed
The third point is to put the structures and services in the WKO to the test. "We want to become better and more effective and raise our services to a new level. We have to work together to get out of the economic crisis. Strengthening the economy - that was and is my main goal." Mahrer hopes that the WKO will be able to devote itself to more important matters in future.

I will not allow those who have railed against the Austrian system in recent years to now be the beneficiaries of these discussions.

Harald Mahrer

According to him, there will always be critics because there are people who do not want the social partnership. "I remain unbending here and will fight for it." 

Chamber levy may be reduced at a later date
In response to questions about a reduction in the chamber levy, Mahrer referred to a reduction of EUR 30 million at the beginning of 2024. He also said that it was not out of the question "that we will take such a step again", but that the previous reform was still being worked through. The repeatedly criticized reserves in the billions are partly earmarked, "that's not money you can just spend like that".

WKO wage increase well above inflation
For days, Mahrer has been criticized by the Chamber of Commerce for the comparatively lavish salary adjustments of 4.2 percent (above inflation). Last Wednesday, Mahrer initially spoke of a reduction in the planned increase for employees - later, however, he qualified his statements. There was initially talk of a halving to 2.1 percent, but in fact there will only be no increase at all in the first half of the year and a 4.2 percent increase in the second half. This means that the initial value for the following year is significantly higher than it would have been at 2.1% for the whole of 2026.

The salaries of the chamber bosses

All amounts are gross and are paid monthly, 12 times a year. The increase relates to 2024.

Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
President: 15,158.60 euros (+21 percent)
Vice President (elected): 7,579.30 euros (+27 percent)

Vienna Chamber of Commerce
President: 14,075.82 euros (+21%)
Vice President (elected): 7037.91 euros (+62 percent)

Burgenland Chamber of Commerce
President: 10,827.55 euros (+55 percent)
Vice President: 3789.65 euros (+63 percent)

Lower Austria Chamber of Commerce
President: 14,075.82 euros (+51 percent)
Vice President: 7037.91 euros (+102 percent)

Styrian Chamber of Commerce
President: 10,827.55 euros (+55 percent)
Vice President: 4926.54 euros (+41 percent)

Carinthian Chamber of Commerce
President: 6976.50 euros (+0 percent)
Vice President: 2325.40 euros (+0 percent)

Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce
President: 9853.07 euros (+41 percent)
Vice President: 4926.54 euros (+41 percent)

Salzburg Chamber of Commerce
President: 10,394.99 euros (+49 percent)
Vice President: 3464.06 euros (+49 percent)

Tyrol Chamber of Commerce
President: 10,394.40 euros (+49 percent)
Vice President: 3,464.80 euros (+62 percent)

Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce
President: 6976.50 euros (+15 percent)
Vice President: 2325.40 euros (+15 percent)

According to observers, Mahrer has repeatedly met with skepticism within parts of the business community, especially now. Criticism of the former Economics Minister and President of the ÖVP Economic Association also came over the weekend from party colleagues and the presidents of the provincial chambers. According to insiders, Mahrer's resignation was also on the cards.

Uproar also over hefty salary increases for heads of provincial chambers
In the end, however, the sometimes massive salary increases for provincial chamber presidents also came under fire. For example, the compensation of Tyrolean President Barbara Thaler was increased from 6400 to 10,000 euros. However, according to Mahrer, there will be no increase in pay for the top chamber presidents in the coming year.

Mahrer rules out lowering the chamber levy
The current outrage is mainly due to the fact that the Chamber of Commerce often demands wage restraint in collective bargaining negotiations. For example, the metalworkers' agreement, which serves as a benchmark for other sectors, was significantly below inflation. 

Mahrer receives 28,500 euros gross per month
Mahrer's earnings also led to discussions about appropriateness. Mahrer is President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (15,158 euros/month), President of the Austrian Economic Association (6000 euros/month) and President of the General Council of the National Bank (7330 euros/month expense allowance). "The bottom line is 28,500 euros gross. Twelve times a year. Yes, that's a lot of money," admits Mahrer openly. "But it's also a lot of responsibility and personal liability." The Court of Audit has announced that it intends to audit these multiple payments in the coming year.