Public service in Austria: Sala increase causes a sigh of relief!

Public service in Austria: Sala increase causes a sigh of relief!

As part of the debate on the planned amendment to the service law in 2024, ÖVP MP Romana Deckenbacher emphasized the decisive role of the public service in Austria. "What if you came to a hospital and there is no nursing and health care staff?" She provocatively asked the question and referred to the profound expenses of a lack of personnel in areas such as education, health and security. Specifically, from January 1, 2025, an average salary increase will be implemented in the public service of 3.5 %, which means a wage increase of at least 82.40 euros to a maximum of EUR 437.80, as reported APA-OTS.

In 2026, an adaptation of salaries to the inflation -related cost increases is also planned, plus 0.3 percentage points. This agreement arose after challenging negotiations between the Göd union, the Younion union and the representatives of the federal states and the Federal Minister of Public Service. The conclusion is considered success, especially against the background of economic challenges. Deckenbacher underlined the great appreciation of the population for the public service, as surveys show: 86 percent of the respondents rate it as important for the quality of life in Austria, as well as the document in parliament.

The MP also called for the public service to be perceived as an attractive employer in order to gain and maintain qualified employees. Despite the high reputation, 56 percent of those surveyed in the private sector feel better. It is essential that the financial means are available for the public service so that it can fulfill its decisive function in state structure.