WKÖ Salaries: 2.1 Instead of 4.2 Percent Increase for Employees

For the Economic Parliament of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) on Thursday, it is expected that all factions will submit a motion for far-reaching reforms. The meeting of the extended WKÖ presidency was led by Martha Schultz, who acts as the interim successor of the resigned president of the Economic Chamber, Harald Mahrer, and as the chairwoman of the ÖVP Economic Association. A permanent successor has not yet been determined.

Increase in WKÖ Salaries Halved

Originally, the salaries of the approximately 5,800 Economic Chamber employees were to increase by 4.2 percent in 2026. Then, former President Harald Mahrer backtracked in the face of severe criticism - after all, he and WKÖ collective agreement negotiators had always called for wage restraint from others. Initially, there was talk of a halving to 2.1 percent, but in fact, there was to be no increase in the first half of the year, with a 4.2 percent increase in the second half. Mahrer's communication on this was criticized by many and was one reason for his resignation. Now there will be a 2.1 percent increase from January 1st.

Compensations for WKÖ Top Officials Suspended

The originally planned increases in compensations for many top officials, by up to 60 percent, caused at least as much uproar. The reversal was already announced last Tuesday for today's meeting. At that time and today, it was said that the increase in compensations for top officials would be temporarily suspended until the result of an external audit. An audit by the Court of Audit was already announced by Court of Audit President Margit Kraker. Whether another will follow remains open for now, as this was also recently discussed in the WKÖ. "All state chambers will take the same step," it was already said at the announcement. The 693 independent professional organizations were "strongly recommended to follow this approach."

WKÖ Aims to Regain Trust

"We are looking forward," Schultz said today (Wednesday) after the extended presidency meeting in a written statement to the APA. The decisions are "a clear signal." "In economically challenging times, different standards also apply to the WKÖ, and therefore we have decided to suspend the increase in functional compensation and adjust employee salaries by 2.1 percent." The suspension of functional compensation is important because it aims to regain trust. At the same time, it should be ensured "that future decisions on compensations are based on an objective, externally audited basis."

The decision to adjust salaries was "not easy, but it is necessary so that we ourselves do what we demand from others: prudence and responsibility in difficult times." Overall, a "path for the reform process of the Chamber of Commerce" will be opened. The goal is to "concretely improve our services for our companies." The WKÖ should become "even more efficient and modern" and "a strong voice for employers in this country," said Schulz.

All-Party Motion for Comprehensive WKÖ Reforms

In the joint motion for the Economic Parliament of all factions, which is available to the APA, it states: "The Austrian Chamber of Commerce will align itself even more closely with the needs of its over 590,000 businesses and seize the opportunities of modern interest representation. A future-ready Chamber of Commerce organization requires transparent processes, efficient structures, and an electoral system that best reflects the entrepreneurial diversity of our country at the federal, state, and industry levels."

For strong representation of entrepreneurs' interests, it is essential to quickly restore credibility and regain lost trust. The common goal is strong economic representation, a modern service offering, and a contemporary flexible education offering.

WKÖ Reform Group to be Established

The expanded WKÖ presidium is tasked with "initiating a comprehensive reform process and establishing a reform group consisting of voter groups, industries, and countries, which will address key areas of action." These include a task and service reform, a structure/organization reform, an electoral reform, a transparency initiative, and a financing reform.

The reform group should regularly report to the expanded presidium. An initial interim report is required for the first half of 2026. The motion is signed by the heads of all six major WKÖ factions - on behalf of the ÖVP Economic Association by Alexander Klacska, the division chairman of the Federal Division for Transport and Traffic. Mahrer has resigned as head of the Economic Association, with interim successor Martha Schultz following him there and in the WKÖ.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.