OGB President Katzian Demands More Measures Against Inflation

The planned abolition of the Austria surcharge alone "is of course not enough, but I think it's good that they are addressing it," said ÖGB President Katzian on Saturday in the "Ö1-Journal-zu Gast". The announced price database for food prices is also not enough.

ÖGB President Katzian calls for an anti-inflation commission with teeth

He is generally in favor of such a database and more transparency along the entire value chain, but this alone is not sufficient. It is also a question of what happens with the data. People would not sit down after a long day at work "with thirty-seven brochures and an app" to compare prices. "Anyone who believes that lives on the moon," said Katzian. He continues to advocate for an anti-inflation commission, specifically one "with teeth, that also has the possibility of sanctions," according to the ÖGB chief. This commission must intervene when "excessive prices are demanded." Katzian did not specify exactly when prices are considered excessive.

"Good wage agreements" help in the short term according to ÖGB President Katzian

In any case, such a database would only help people in the medium term, but not in the short term. "The only thing that can be done in the short term - and the unions do this every year - is to conduct wage negotiations and make good wage agreements so that people's purchasing power is not lost," said the ÖGB President. In response to Chancellor Christian Stocker's (ÖVP) call for restraint in wage agreements, Katzian said: "Everyone can wish for anything." However, the negotiations are conducted by the respective industry unions and the employers' industry associations - he does not want to make any calls in this direction.

ÖGB President Katzian: Critical stance on Mercosur remains

Regarding the Mercosur trade agreement, for which the EU Commission gave the green light this week, Katzian said that the union's critical position on the agreement remains, even though the details are not yet known. "We are not against trade agreements, but we want to ensure that trade agreements do not create conditions that lead to deteriorations for workers here." However, he believes that the Mercosur agreement will come.

(APA/Red)

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