Recognition for Care: Heavy Labor Pension from 2026
Just like ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger, she emphasized that those affected, as well as union representatives, have repeatedly demanded this step. The measure is also included in the coalition's government program.
This will allow caregivers better access to the heavy labor pension - if they have at least 45 years of insurance and have performed heavy labor for at least ten years in the last 20 years, they can retire at 60. A budget of 40 million euros is allocated for this. Despite the necessary 45 years of insurance, Schumann assumes that "every second person who then retires will benefit from this inclusion in heavy labor."
Heavy Labor Pension for Care: Measure as a Sign of Respect
The criteria for heavy labor should also be objectified, with psychological and multiple burdens included. However, the details still need to be worked out, explained Wöginger. According to Schumann, heavy labor should in the future be calculated based on working hours instead of working days. They also want to reconsider whether heavy physical activity should continue to be defined by calories burned. The occupational groups currently recorded should not be restricted.
The measure is a sign of respect and appreciation for the mostly female caregivers who perform their profession with great commitment despite physical and psychological stress, emphasized Schumann and Wöginger. They are confronted with issues such as dying, death, and suffering, as well as irregular shifts and staff shortages, said the minister. 60 percent of caregivers would rate their work as mentally very stressful, and 48 percent report back pain.
Wöginger opposed the notion that the measure would counteract the desired alignment of the actual retirement age with the statutory retirement age. Many women, whose retirement age is currently being raised, could not continue in the caregiving profession until retirement. The NEOS emphasized in a statement on "X" that the revision of the heavy labor regulation is part of a larger reform package. "With it, initial steps are being taken to make the pension system sustainably affordable and to align the actual retirement age with the statutory one." Specific measures will be presented soon.
Union pleased, opposition not
The Chamber of Labor (AK) welcomed the government's initiative, as did the Volkshilfe, the Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB), and the unions GPA, GÖD, and younion. They made additional demands for the specific design of the reform: AK President Renate Anderl wants training periods at the university of applied sciences to be recognized as insurance periods. Volkshilfe Director Erich Fenninger demanded that not only certified personnel but also caregiving professions be included. The Tyrolean nurse Carolin Astner, who started a petition for the classification of caregivers as heavy laborers and presented Schumann with over 194,000 signatures before the press conference, is also pleased.
The opposition parties described the new regulation as "mockery" (FPÖ) and "sham package" (Greens). "The reason is obvious," said FPÖ social spokesperson Dagmar Belakowitsch: "At least 45 years of insurance and at least ten years of heavy labor in the last 20 years - so that you can retire at 60 - that applies to hardly anyone." Green care spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner also criticized that caregivers, who can start training at the earliest at 17, cannot mathematically reach the necessary insurance years by 60.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.