Unemployment in Austria Continues to Rise – AK President Criticises Higher Women's Retirement Age

Criticism of Retirement Policy

The AK President's criticism targets the structural framework conditions in the job market. Many women over 60 have difficulty finding employment in the first place, let alone staying in their jobs until the new retirement age. Anderl therefore calls for concrete measures that make employment realistic into old age – from age-appropriate workplaces to training opportunities and more flexible working time models.

In addition to rising unemployment, the AMS figures also record increasing long-term unemployment. People who have been out of work for more than a year have particularly poor prospects of returning to the job market. The growing number of long-term unemployed people places extra strain on the social system and on active labour market policy.

Long-term Unemployment as a Growing Problem

Domestic unemployment is also continuing to develop unfavourably according to the available data. A separate examination of domestic and foreign workers shows that the increase in unemployment is not a one-sided phenomenon, but affects the entire labour market. Economic experts point to a combination of cyclical weakness and structural problems.

The development on the apprenticeship market is also concerning according to the AK. The so-called apprenticeship gap – that is, the difference between open training positions and young people seeking them – has widened. This means that young people are increasingly having difficulty finding a training place, which jeopardises the employability of the next generation in the long term.

Apprenticeship Gap and Training Shortage

AMS and AK are jointly demanding a package of countermeasures. These include expanded qualification and retraining programmes, particularly for older female workers, as well as investment in the creation of new employment opportunities. A better reconciliation of work and caregiving responsibilities – which is largely borne by women – is also considered necessary.

The Chamber interprets the development as a warning signal for the entire economic policy. Should the trend continue, rising social expenditure is threatened alongside declining contribution revenues. The political reactions to the rising unemployment figures in the coming weeks will show whether the federal government is willing to implement the measures proposed by AK and AMS.