Court of Audit Levels Sharp Criticism at Economic Chambers

Excessive Compensation and Missing Documentation

Criticism of inflated compensation stood at the center of the report. The applicable cap for WKÖ officials was exceeded by 32 percent. A new increase system had been planned for the previous year, which, according to the RH, would have provided presidents with up to 182,000 euros per year, state presidents with up to 169,000 euros, and vice presidents with up to 109,000 euros. Quote from the report: "In Bezug auf die Gewährung und Bemessung von Funktionsentschädigungen waren mindestens seit 1996 keine nachvollziehbaren Überlegungen mehr dokumentiert." In the RH's assessment, these compensations would have become an even greater problem if the planned system of increases had been introduced in the previous year.

The remuneration of the secretaries general is singled out for particular criticism. Quote: "Ihr durchschnittlicher Bruttomonatsbezug lag mit rund 21.500 Euro um 52 Prozent über dem Bruttomonatsbezug einer Generalsekretärin bzw. des Wirtschaftsministers um 13 Prozent." The Court of Audit also notes that individual handling of the salary schemes was possible. Quote: "Dies ermöglichte letztlich eine individuelle Handhabung der Gehaltsschemata." The Economic Chamber currently employs a total of around 4,800 staff.

Expenses and Frequent Flyer Status

On the subject of expenses, the RH identified several irregularities. For example, the covering of costs for a frequent flyer status was criticized. The WKÖ's response to this was: "Die Übernahme der Kosten für einen Vielfliegerstatus war ein Einzelfall. Diesen wird es in Zukunft nicht mehr geben." The Court of Audit also criticized the total volume of a tender worth approximately 1.9 million euros, of which 810,000 euros had already been drawn down by March. "Infolge medialer Berichterstattung im Herbst 2025 über dieses neue System wurde es bis zum Vorliegen der Ergebnisse einer externen Prüfung ausgesetzt," the RH report states.

A further point of criticism concerns the multiple functions held by representatives of the Economic Chamber. These are likewise addressed in the report. As the Court of Audit writes in a summary, a factor of 10 makes the chamber organization too expensive. The WKÖ's headcount is to be reduced from the current approximately 800 to 600 full-time equivalents pursuant to a resolution already adopted. Concrete savings targets are tied to this.

Reaction of the Economic Chamber

WK Secretary General Jochen Danninger responded to the publication with a statement: "Der Bericht steht nicht im Widerspruch zu unserem Reformprozess, sondern ergänzt ihn. Dort, wo der Rechnungshof Verbesserungspotenzial aufzeigt, wird das in die laufenden Reformüberlegungen aufgenommen, geprüft und mit den bereits eingeleiteten Maßnahmen zusammengeführt." The reports will also be published on the Economic Chamber's homepage, which is considered unusual.

The WKÖ pushed back against the comparison of its top salaries with those of political officeholders. The statement reads: "Der Vergleich der Gehälter des Spitzenmanagements der WKÖ mit politischen Amtsträgern ist für die WKÖ nicht nachvollziehbar, zumal sich diese im Vergleich zu Leitungsfunktionen anderer Interessensvertretungen im üblichen Rahmen bewegen und unter den Gehältern von Leitungsfunktionen in staatsnahen Unternehmen liegen." According to reports, the comparable interest representation being referred to is the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer).

When key points of the reform at the Economic Chamber were presented a few weeks ago, observers expressed surprise. The reduction in headcount and the expense systems that have already been suspended are seen as initial steps. The RH report is likely to further increase the pressure for reform.