Austrian Labor Debate Intensifies: Clash Over Part-Time Work and Full-Time Incentives
Austria is facing a growing debate over the future of work, with starkly contrasting views emerging from within the governing coalition regarding part-time employment. While some officials advocate for policies to encourage full-time work, others emphasize the need for flexibility and a fairer distribution of societal responsibilities.
The current average working time for part-time employees in Austria stands at 21 hours per week, though many reportedly desire 30 hours, according to a recent posting by Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer on the Bluesky platform. “More employers would be asked who offer good part-time,” the minister wrote, signaling a potential push for improved part-time opportunities. However, this stance sharply contrasts with that of Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, who views part-time work as “too attractive.”
Hattmannsdorfer, speaking on the Ö1 series “In the Journal,” called for “a comeback of performance and competition,” suggesting the government has already taken steps to incentivize longer working hours, such as abolishing educational leave and offering additional earnings for the unemployed. He further stated he has “no understanding” for part-time work when individuals have no childcare obligations, framing it as “a question of responsibility towards the entire society.” He argued the country must focus on “diligence and willingness to perform” to address a looming labor market deficit due to the retirement of baby boomers.
The Scale of Part-Time Employment in Austria
Approximately 1.5 million people in Austria are currently employed part-time, with women comprising over 50% of this workforce. This figure places Austria significantly ahead of other EU nations in terms of part-time employment, with nearly one-third of the workforce opting for reduced hours. The proportion is particularly high among individuals over 50.
A study by the Economic Research Institute (WIFO) reveals that 140,000 part-time workers are prepared to increase their hours by an average of eleven hours per week if given the opportunity. This suggests a substantial untapped potential within the existing part-time workforce.
Political Divisions and Proposed Solutions
The debate has exposed deep divisions within the Austrian government. The Neos party, a junior coalition partner, has expressed support for initiating the discussion, emphasizing the need to make full-time work more worthwhile – but through incentives, not restrictions, according to Neos social spokesman Johannes Gasser.
Opposition parties have also weighed in. The FPÖ advocates for relief and performance incentives for employees, while The Greens have criticized what they call “punishment fantasies,” proposing instead a reduction in full-time hours and the introduction of sub-limits for part-time work.
Barbara Teiber, Federal President of the GPA union and a member of parliament for the SPÖ, believes attempts to enable employees to work more hours are fundamentally positive, citing potential benefits to pension amounts. She emphasized the need to make overtime and full-time work more accessible, particularly in sectors like retail, nursing, and healthcare where part-time positions are often the only option. Teiber explicitly rejected a “bonus-and-malus system” for full-time versus part-time employees, noting that part-time workers already face reduced retirement and unemployment benefits.
Gender Imbalance and Unpaid Care Work
A significant driver of part-time work, particularly among women, is care obligations. Statistics Austria data reveals that while only one in seven men works part-time, the figure rises to one in two women. Marterbauer highlighted the need for a fairer distribution of unpaid care work – disproportionately carried by women – as a prerequisite for increasing working hours for part-time employees.
The differing viewpoints underscore a complex challenge for Austrian policymakers: balancing economic needs with the realities of modern life and the evolving expectations of the workforce. The path forward will likely require a multifaceted approach that addresses both the financial incentives for full-time work and the societal factors that contribute to the prevalence of part-time employment.
