Heavy Work: Red Cross Wants Inclusion of Paramedics

Red Cross President Gerald Schöpfer welcomed the proposed measure and called for an extension to include paramedics. "The physical and psychological burdens in emergency services are often underestimated," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

The government's plan to provide caregivers with better access to the heavy labor pension starting January 1, 2026, represents "an important measure for people in caregiving professions," emphasized Schöpfer. These are physically and mentally "extremely demanding activities that have long deserved more recognition."

Heavy Labor: A New Regulation to Take Effect on January 1, 2026

The Red Cross is emphasizing the demand to include paramedics in the regulation with a petition. You can support the cause online at https://wir.roteskreuz.at/sanitaeter-schwerarbeit. "Our 8,000 full-time paramedics perform physical heavy labor every day in all weather conditions, in addition to night shifts and event-related irregular rest periods," said President Schöpfer. "Despite internal support, stressful operations also leave psychological marks. We demand that the federal government take this into account in the further development of the regulations."

A new regulation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, said Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) at a press conference on Tuesday. Just like ÖVP parliamentary group leader August Wöginger, she emphasized that those affected as well as union representatives have repeatedly demanded this step. The measure is also included in the coalition's government program.

Caregivers are to receive better access to the heavy labor pension - if they have at least 45 years of insurance and have performed heavy labor for at least ten years in the last 20 years, they can retire at 60. A budget of 40 million euros is allocated for this. Despite the necessary 45 years of insurance, Schumann assumes that "every second person who then retires will benefit from this inclusion in the heavy labor category."

(APA/Red)

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