Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Ruck Defends Salary

"If you calculate that, it roughly corresponds to your salary increase," said the President of the Vienna Economic Chamber, Walter Ruck, in response to a journalist's question on the sidelines of a press conference on Tuesday. The compensation of 14,076 euros gross (12 times a year) is a compensation for the time spent working for the Vienna Economic Chamber that is taken away from working in one's own company, Ruck explained. "I am a construction entrepreneur and managing director of a construction company," the compensation is intended to hire someone else for the company during this time. This is regulated by compensation laws.

Salary in Vienna Economic Chamber Twice as High as in Carinthia and Vorarlberg

Compared to the salaries of the economic chamber heads in other federal states, the salary in Vienna is significantly higher because the Vienna Economic Chamber is "the largest private education provider." The education sector in Vienna alone is larger than the economic chambers in Carinthia and Vorarlberg combined. "I think we don't need to discuss that there are size differences between the states, and thus ultimately demands on the top officials," said Ruck. His position as President of the WK Vienna is roughly comparable to a chairman of the supervisory board of a very large company in the private sector, although elements of a CEO are also part of the position. The amount of his compensation is, "if you calculate it in the private sector, significantly too little," said Ruck.

Criticism of the Economic Chambers System?

When asked whether the system of the economic chamber has been sustainably damaged by the debate of the last few days, Ruck said: "It hasn't helped." Nevertheless, Ruck again expressed his confidence in Harald Mahrer, the economic chamber president at the federal level. The debate was also fueled by Mahrer's triple compensation at the economic chamber, the ÖVP Economic Association, and the National Bank. Together, the multi-functionary had an annual income of around 350,000 euros. According to data from Statistics Austria, in 2023 there were only 5,415 people among the employed who earned more than this amount. This is 0.1 percent in relation to 4.7 million employed persons (excluding apprentices), as stated in response to an APA inquiry.

Zero Salary Round for Presidents in State Workers' Chamber

The economic chamber issue is also being closely followed in the Workers' Chamber (AK). "It's not favorable for the social partnership," said AK President Renate Anderl at a wage dumping press conference on Tuesday in response to a journalist's question. In the Workers' Chamber, they adhere to the compensation limitation law, something like in the economic chamber does not exist in the AK, said Anderl. Last year and this year, there was a zero salary round for presidents of the state workers' chambers. Anderl receives 14,500 euros gross 14 times a year as the full-time president of the AK Vienna and the Federal Workers' Chamber, which is 140 percent of the monthly salary of a member of the National Council.

(APA/Red)

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