National Council discusses employee rights and WHO reforms: What's coming now?
National Council discusses employee rights and WHO reforms: What's coming now?
Vienna, Österreich - On July 9, 2025, a meeting of the National Council took place, in which the focus was on securing employees and questions about the World Health Organization (WHO). Josef Muchitsch from the SPÖ praised the measures to secure employee rights and has criticized the ÖVP-led governments of recent years. He pointed out that no significant progress in the expansion of kindergartens have been made in the past seven years, while inflation has increased.
In addition, Muchitsch praised the current triple coalition, in particular the rental price stop and taking into account nursing staff in the heavy work regulation. Minister of Social Affairs Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) presented the new heat protection ordinance for work outdoors, which is now being assessed. Markus Koza von der Greens said critically to abolish educational leave and to restrict partial retirement, measures that particularly disadvantaged women.
political arguments in the National Council
In the debate, Dagmar Belakovich was loud from the FPÖ and warned that the situation for citizens would worsen as a whole. In contrast, Lukas Brandweiner from the ÖVP defended the measures of the previous government. Johannes Gasser of Neos emphasized how important it was to unite the interests of employers and employees, and pointed out the reduction in non -wage costs from 2027
The “urgent application” of the FPÖ on the WHO, which was discussed in the afternoon, was particularly explosive. FPÖ health spokesman Gerhard Kaniak criticized a change in international health regulations adopted in June 2024, which resulted in an expansion of the competencies of the WHO general director. He also warned of the possible return of a vaccination.
In contrast, Secretary of State Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) defended the new health regulations and described them as necessary for quick action in crisis situations. While the other parties rejected the FPÖ's concerns, Leonore Gewessler was introduced as the new Greens club chairwoman. Kira Grünberg was praised as the new mandatarin and takes over the mandate of Karoline Edtstadler.
changes in international health regulations
The changes to the international health regulations (IGV), which were completed on June 1, 2024 in Geneva, have caused a sensation. Over 190 countries agreed to introduce improvements to protection against serious public health threats. This includes the introduction of a warning level for pandemic emergencies and the reinforcement of the principle of solidarity and justice through closer cooperation between the member states and the WHO.
A coordination mechanism has been established to make the use of funds more efficient and to strengthen the core capacities of the IGV. The contracting states are now obliged to pay more attention to the implementation of the IGV. In this context, the WHO offers greater support in the examination of unclear outbreaks of illness and simplifies the publication of information about threatening events.
The IGV reform from 2005 is in the context of global efforts to improve the international reaction to future outbreaks. This becomes all the more important after the Covid 19 pandemic has made it clear how significantly a well-coordinated answer to such crises is. In the course of this, an intergovernental negotiating body (INB) was also set up, which elaborates the new pandemic contract. This is intended to strengthen the cooperation in pandemic prevention and fighting and is part of the global efforts to distribute medical goods evenly and to exchange information transparently.
In summary, the latest discussions in the National Council and the changes to the IGV illustrate the current challenges in health policy, both at national and international level. The discussions show how important a future -oriented and solidary approach is to the health situation of the population.For more detailed information on the changes in health regulations, Federal Gesundheitsministerium.de are not mandatory. You can get further backgrounds about the WHO and its reform processes at swp-berlin.org .
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Ort | Vienna, Österreich |
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