Care Association Criticizes Barriers in Heavy Worker Regulation

Nursing Association Sees Gaps in Heavy Labor Regulation

The Austrian Health and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) still sees some gaps in the heavy labor regulation for nursing staff, which was introduced about two weeks ago via ordinance. ÖGKV President Elisabeth Potzmann told the APA that it was a "good step," but still sees access barriers, especially for part-time workers and women. For example, part-time workers would hardly reach the required twelve shifts per month in practice.

The approximately 1,000 people per year expected by politicians to benefit from the new regulation are seen by Potzmann as too high. "With part-time work, it's hardly possible to qualify for the heavy labor regulation," she said. Although the requirement was reduced from 15 to twelve shifts per month, part-time workers would rather reach seven to eight shifts per month.

Potzmann: Regulation by Hours Would Be Fairer

"A regulation based on hours would have been much fairer," said Potzmann, referring to the ÖGKV's demand to set 120 hours as a requirement. With these 120 hours, even someone with 75 percent employment would fall under the heavy labor regulation, she emphasized. Although it is stipulated that one already has a claim with 50 percent part-time work - in part-time work, however, one does not reach the required twelve shifts. "Unless you do short shifts, but that is unusual."

A major hurdle is also the requirement of 45 years of employment. Those who start training in higher service after graduation would reach the regular retirement age with the 45 years anyway, said Potzmann. "Only those who are already working or those who are not in higher service benefit" - that is, nursing assistants with a shorter training period.

The model would favor switchers, "but especially men" - there was no "gender-specific impact assessment" for the innovation, criticizes Potzmann. Because the requirement that ten years of heavy labor must be performed within the last 20 years of employment tends to favor men, as does the fact that women, due to care work such as family caregiving, are more likely to work part-time in old age, which favors men.

Working conditions need to be improved

It is understandable that politics aims to keep people working full-time in their jobs for longer, even at an older age. To achieve this, however, one must primarily focus on working conditions. "It's about the burden - shift work is also a prerequisite for heavy labor." There is a need for work time models that are appropriate for different life stages, says Potzmann.

As an example, she mentioned shorter working hours from a certain age, such as 50 years - or the privilege of no longer having to work night shifts. "Then you can work full-time." It's about offering more flexible working time models. A topic for younger people is - "as everywhere" - also childcare, emphasized the president.

New regulation comes into effect in January 2026

About two weeks ago, the federal government finalized the expansion of heavy labor to include care professions, which was already announced in the spring, through a regulation. The expansion is to be implemented on January 1, 2026. From then on, care professions will be explicitly recognized as heavy labor. The new regulation will benefit certified health and nursing professionals, nursing assistant staff, and nursing assistants.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.