Part-Time Debate: Greens Presented Three-Point Plan
They are calling for more childcare places, a legal entitlement to a kindergarten place, and the right to increase to full-time if overtime is regularly worked anyway. Many part-time workers would ask themselves: "Why does the government accuse me of laziness?" said the Green club chairwoman Leonore Gewessler.
The federal government has "no idea how to distribute work fairly." "Finding scapegoats and attacking them" is certainly not a solution, Gewessler emphasized to journalists. And she posed the question of what the current ÖVP Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, who initiated the debate on part-time work, had done in his time as Social Provincial Councilor in Upper Austria for the expansion of childcare. Upper Austria is at the bottom in this regard. "Instead of accusing the key contributors of our society of laziness and speaking of part-time work as a lifestyle, they should rather create fair conditions for all workers," the Green club chairwoman directed at the government.
Part-Time Debate: 50,000 Additional Kindergarten Places Demanded
Gewessler calculated: "We need 50,000 additional kindergarten places and a legal entitlement to childcare from the first birthday - because moms and dads should not have to plead to be able to work if they want to." How should this be financed? Here, Gewessler refers to the billions in support that the states have received from the federal government.
Regarding the legal entitlement to full-time, the Green club chairwoman explained: "Anyone who has part-time in their contract and still has to work extra hours week after week should be allowed to increase their regular working hours by these hours." There is a significant number of part-time employees who would like to work more.
Criticism of Hattmannsdorfer
And in general, the question arises as to how Minister of Economic Affairs Hattmannsdorfer intends to assess whether someone is using "lifestyle part-time." When asked whether high earners without caregiving responsibilities who choose part-time should contribute more to the social system, Gewessler stated: If someone breaks their foot, they should receive a full cast via e-card - and not a half one because they are wealthy.
According to a microcensus survey by Statistics Austria from the year 2023, about a quarter of Austrians work part-time because they do not want a full-time job. Among women, 39 percent stated that they care for children or adults in need of care. Among men, this was 8 percent.
ÖVP relies on education
The Ministry of Finance stated on Thursday that more education is needed about the consequences of part-time work. "Many are not aware of how significantly working hours and employment history affect financial security in old age," said State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP) to APA. In the long term, part-time work often means significantly less pension. "A fact that we are addressing with the National Financial Education Strategy," said the State Secretary.
(APA/Red)
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