Ultimately, productivity in this country is only 76 percent of that of the US, Haselsteiner told journalists. In his opinion, changes are needed in energy, bureaucracy, pensions and taxes, the major Strabag shareholder told journalists on Tuesday.
It would be important to have an appropriate energy policy that not only ensures energy security, but also energy economy. Energy prices are 3 to 4 times higher than in the USA and Asia. But unpopular measures are also needed. We have put on a little belly of prosperity. “I am a pleasure-seeker, but we need a belt with lots of holes so that we only have to tighten our belts by one hole,” said Haselsteiner. “It does tug a little in the morning, but you get used to it.” At the moment, people are demanding work-life balance, home office and more free time. Work should be enjoyable. “But then we have to be satisfied with less. It won’t be possible to work less and live just as well.” Therefore, demands for a 32-hour week, for example, come at an inopportune time.
“Different in every federal state”
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Another of the industrialist’s demands concerns bureaucracy. Federalism is a thorn in Haselsteiner’s side in particular: there are numerous laws and regulations that would be better regulated at the federal level. “A chamois that migrates from Carinthia to Tyrol is still the same chamois – but different animal protection laws apply. The same applies to the youth protection law, which is different in every federal state.” The financial equalization is “documented unreasonableness”. The “bureaucratic club” affects not only offices, authorities and state governments, but also institutions such as the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
The fact that no politician proposes inconvenient measures is due to classic professional politicians. “If they lose their jobs, if they are stuck, they lose money and prestige.” The need for pension reform was already clear when he was still a student, noted the 80-year-old industrialist. But education, childcare and all-day schools are also important topics. “There is a bonus for keeping women at home. It used to be the Mother’s Cross,” Haselsteiner said, referring to the award for mothers with several children during the Nazi era. If he says anything about this, he is labelled as “Haselsteiner just wants to build cheaply.”
In contrast to “his” party, the NEOS party, which he supports, Haselsteiner can also imagine new taxes, as long as the overall tax rate falls or at least stays the same, said Haselsteiner. “Social peace should be worth something, especially to the poor.”
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**PAA Questions for “The Urgent Need for Reform: Klemens Haselsteiner’s Call to Action”**
The Urgent Need for Reform: Klemens Haselsteiner’s Call to Action
Austrian industrialist Klemens Haselsteiner, a major shareholder of construction company Strabag, has sounded the alarm on the country’s lagging productivity, citing a need for comprehensive reforms in energy, bureaucracy, pensions, and taxes. In a recent statement, Haselsteiner emphasized that Austria‘s productivity is only 76% of that in the United States, and that changes are necessary to address this gap [[1]].
Energy Policy: A Thorn in Haselsteiner’s Side
Haselsteiner stressed the importance of an energy policy that ensures not only energy security but also energy economy. He pointed out that energy prices in Austria are 3 to 4 times higher than in the USA and Asia, necessitating unpopular measures to rectify the situation. In his words, “We have put on a little belly of prosperity. I am a pleasure-seeker, but we need a belt with lots of holes so that we only have to tighten our belts by one hole.” [[1]]
Bureaucracy: A Major Obstacle to Progress
Haselsteiner also lamented the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder progress in Austria. He singled out federalism as a particular thorn in his side, citing the numerous laws and regulations that would be better regulated at the federal level. As an example, he noted that animal protection laws and youth protection laws differ from one federal state to another, creating an unwieldy and inefficient system [[1]].
Pension Reform: Long Overdue
The 80-year-old industrialist also emphasized the need for pension reform, a topic he highlighted as essential even during his student days. He believes that education, childcare, and all-day schools are critical areas that require attention and investment [[1]].
Taxation: A Necessary Evil
In a surprising move, Haselsteiner expressed willingness to consider new taxes, provided the overall tax rate falls or remains the same. He argued that “social peace should be worth something, especially to the poor” [[1]].
Austrian Tycoon Pledges €25 Million to Signa Group
In a separate development, Austrian tycoon Hans-Peter Haselsteiner (not to be confused with Klemens Haselsteiner) has pledged up to €25 million to support the insolvent development unit of the Signa group [[2]].
Dieter Haselsteiner: A Different Haselsteiner
It is worth noting that there are multiple individuals with the surname Haselsteiner, including Dieter Haselsteiner, who has his own website focusing on topics such as safety, environmental impact, competition, economy, technological innovations, and passenger experience [[3]].
Klemens Haselsteiner’s call to action serves as a wake-up call for Austria to tackle its productivity gap and address the necessary reforms in energy, bureaucracy, pensions, and taxes. His willingness to consider new taxes and investment in education and childcare demonstrates a commitment to social peace and equality. As Austria navigates these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of its citizens and the long-term sustainability of its economy.
What specific reforms is Klemens Haselsteiner advocating for to improve Austria’s productivity?
The Urgent Need for Reform: Klemens Haselsteiner’s Call to Action
Klemens Haselsteiner, the newly appointed CEO of STRABAG SE [[1]], has sent a clear message to the Austrian government: it’s time for reform. In a recent interview, Haselsteiner emphasized the need for changes in energy, bureaucracy, pensions, and taxes to boost productivity in the country. His views are shaped by his extensive experience in the business world and his role as a major shareholder of STRABAG SE.
The Productivity Gap
Haselsteiner pointed out that Austria’s productivity is only 76 percent of that of the United States. He attributed this gap to the country’s high energy prices, which are 3 to 4 times higher than in the USA and Asia. To bridge this gap, Haselsteiner advocated for an appropriate energy policy that ensures both energy security and economy.
Bureaucracy: A Thorn in the Side of Progress
Federalism is a major obstacle to progress, according to Haselsteiner. He cited the example of animal protection laws, which differ in each federal state. Similarly, youth protection laws and financial equalization are plagued by “documented unreasonableness.” Haselsteiner believes that these laws and regulations would be better regulated at the federal level.
The Need for Pension Reform and Education
Haselsteiner, now 80 years old, noted that the need for pension reform was evident even during his student days. He also stressed the importance of education, childcare, and all-day schools. However, he believes that the current system incentivizes women to stay at home, a notion that dates back to the Nazi era’s Mother’s Cross award.
A Call for Unpopular Measures
Haselsteiner acknowledged that implementing reforms would require unpopular measures, such as tightening belts and making sacrifices. However, he emphasized that social peace should be worth something, especially to the poor. In contrast to his supported party, the NEOS party, Haselsteiner is open to new taxes as long as the overall tax rate falls or stays the same.
A Conductor Rather Than a Rock Star
Klemens Peter Haselsteiner, the CEO of STRABAG SE, is not a typical businessman. He completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration at DePaul University in Chicago [[2]]. His career path, which began at KPMG in Austria, has equipped him with a unique perspective on the company and the industry [[3]].
Klemens Haselsteiner’s call to action is a wake-up call for the Austrian government to address the pressing issues of productivity, bureaucracy, pensions, and taxes. As a respected business leader, his views carry significant weight, and his commitment to reform is a step in the right direction.
References:
[[1]]https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/STRABAG-SE-6499406/news/Klemens-Haselsteiner-takes-office-as-CEO-of-STRABAG-SE-42703183/
[[2]]https://www.strabag.com/databases/internet/public/files30.nsf/SearchView/0C11962437223501C12586840037EBB4/$File/Klemens%20HaselsteinerEN.pdf
[[3]]https://eurobuildcee.com/en/eurojobs/1796-klemens-haselsteiner
