Study: Unpaid Work Costs Women 28,000 Euros Per Year

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the union-affiliated Momentum Institute published an analysis on the distribution of unpaid work in Austria. According to this, out of the nearly nine billion hours of unpaid work per year, 5.7 billion are performed by women. The economic value of this work amounts to around 100 billion euros – more than the largest economic sector, manufacturing.

Majority of Unpaid Work in Austria Falls on Housework and Care

According to the calculations, about 80 billion euros are attributed to housework such as cooking and cleaning, while 20 billion euros are due to care and support of relatives. On average, a woman in Austria undertakes 1,390 hours of unpaid care and housework annually. This unequal distribution leads to income losses of 28,000 euros per year for women, according to the Momentum Institute.

Higher Minimum Wages and Childcare: Momentum Institute Calls for Measures

To rectify this imbalance, the Momentum Institute calls for an expansion of childcare, a legal entitlement to reduced full-time work of 30 to 35 hours, more salary transparency, and higher minimum wages.

“A fair labor market benefits everyone: companies benefit when women can work more, the state saves on social expenses in the long term, and families have a higher total income,” emphasizes Momentum Chief Economist Katharina Mader.

(APA/Red)

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