ORF Contribution - Multiple Payments for Companies Could Be Abolished
However, the Ministry of Finance stated that they are still examining the budgetary impacts of the measures, "as agreed in the discussions."
Therefore, until the examinations are completed, "no final approval of the negotiation results can be given," the ministry said in a statement sent to APA. In the future, each company could pay the ORF only once, with the contribution amount still being based on the wage sum.
"The old system disproportionately penalized companies with multiple locations"
"The old system disproportionately penalized companies with multiple locations," noted NEOS media spokesperson Henrike Brandstötter in a press release. Smaller businesses, in particular, were hit hard by the multiple burdens. According to NEOS, the reform would relieve over 20,000 companies by around ten million euros per year. The ORF Contribution Service GmbH (OBS) is also expected to save costs, as the effort to review applications from companies seeking leniency would be eliminated, according to the party.
ORF head Roland Weißmann fears "hard additional savings requirements" for the public broadcasting house due to the possible legal change, as he told journalists on Thursday. However, he did not want to go into detail yet, as the legal text must first be reviewed.
WKÖ and FPÖ commented
The Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) saw a "huge success" for thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises in the possible new regulation, according to a press release. "In economically still very challenging times, this brings the companies a very important, directly noticeable financial relief," it said.
With the abolition of multiple payments for companies and the end of the annual advance payment, a freedom-oriented demand is being implemented, emphasized FPÖ media spokesperson Christian Hafenecker. However, the most important thing is still missing: "Namely, the complete abolition" of the household levy and "a total reform of the ORF towards a streamlined basic service," said Hafenecker.
For a few months now, there has also been an agreement among the government factions that the right of the provincial governors to be heard in the appointment of ORF regional directors should be abolished. The government aims to strengthen the independence of the ORF through this measure.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.