Inflation: ÖGB announces protest in front of Parliament

2023-08-29 08:06:00

As President Wolfgang Katzian announced in an interview with the APA, there will be a large human chain around Parliament on September 20th at the first regular session of the National Council after the summer break. This also indirectly initiates the autumn pay round that starts a few days later.

Suggestions not accepted

Katzian pointed out that the government has not taken on board any proposals from the union to combat high inflation. These are, for example, energy cost caps, a rent freeze or a reduction in VAT on staple foods.

Here the President establishes a connection with the forthcoming collective bargaining negotiations. The ÖGB has always told the government that inflation-dampening measures will also take pressure off the autumn pay round. Just because now – like every autumn – reports on storm clouds are being launched over the Austrian economy, the call for restraint in the wage round will not be heeded.

Austria above EU average

On the contrary, as always, the loss of purchasing power must be compensated for in the negotiations, emphasized Katzian. Inflation is still too high at seven percent. Austria is thus above the EU average. The action around the parliament was a reminder that the government had to take action. Doing nothing, but demanding wage restraint from the union will not play it.

Strictly speaking, it is not a human chain around the Parliament itself, since there is a ban mile around the building. The chain must therefore be much broader, i.e. formed around the restricted area.