Nursing professions in sight: Reform for the recognition of heavy work on April 22nd!

Nursing professions in sight: Reform for the recognition of heavy work on April 22nd!

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, a press conference on the subject work regulation in the care area will take place in the Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in Vienna. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Ministry press center. The entrance takes place via the main entrance, whereby a registration is required at kommunikation@social Ministry.gv.at . For questions, the ministry is available under the contact details pressesplational@social ministry.gv.at or by phone at +43664877542

The press conference is part of a broader discussion about the challenges in the health and care sector. According to reports from New Zeit , the burdens for employees in these professions are significant and have so far only been insufficient in the applicable heavy work regulation. Above all, the psychological and physical efforts that nursing staff have to raise every day are not adequately recognized by the current pension regulation.

Reform for recognition as heavy workers

The new government coalition consisting of the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS has a reform in planning, which is formally intended to recognize nursing staff as heavy workers: inside. This comprehensive new regulation also includes the inclusion of nursing professions in the heavy work pension scheme. For a long time required by the unions in the health sector, this step could make a decisive contribution to improving working conditions, which, according to the working atmosphere, experience many nurses as "heavily burdened".

A survey shows that only 38 % of the under 40 year olds and 44 % of the over 40s believe that they can hold out in their profession until the pension. It is estimated that around 70,000 additional nurses will be needed by 2050, while 29 % of the under 35 year olds no longer want to do their job.

challenges in everyday working life

The situation in the care sector is characterized by lack of staff and high pressure. Nurses often work irregularly, do night work and look after people in psychological crises. They provide not only physical, but also considerable mental achievements. Nevertheless, the challenges that these professional groups face, according to the Chamber of Labor , are often not recognized, although they are not difficult to work, although they are numerous criteria of the heavy work ordinance fulfill.

The current regulation stipulates that a heavy working month is only recognized if certain energy consumption values ​​are reached at least 15 days a month. In practice, this often means that nursing staff cannot provide this proof solely due to the long layers. In addition, the application of legal provisions in the general pension law severely limits the possibilities for adequate recognition of difficult work.

The upcoming press conference on April 22nd could mark a turning point for the unable to work in the care sector. A clearer definition and recognition of difficult work could not only improve the pension situation, but also the working conditions in this central sector.