WKÖ Stops Increase in Compensation for Top Officials

The decision will be made next week in the WKÖ Presidium. "All state chambers will take the same step," said the WKÖ on Tuesday. The 693 independent professional organizations "are strongly advised to follow this approach."

Increase in Compensation for WKÖ Top Officials Stopped Until Result of External Audit

The acting Vice President and designated interim successor to Mahrer, Martha Schultz, took this step together with the state chambers. The aim is to bring objectivity back into the discussion about future reforms within the Chamber of Commerce. With the temporary suspension, the WKÖ follows the example of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce, which was the first to take this step. According to Schultz, the suspension will last "until the external audit is completed" - possibly by the Court of Audit. However, who this external auditor will be is still open. "That will be decided later," said a WKÖ spokesperson in response to an APA inquiry.

Schultz Wants WKÖ Reforms and to Move Away from Emotions

"Now is the time to send a clear signal to our members and the public," Schultz stated in a press release. "To pave the way for reform, we must move away from an emotional level to a factual and future-oriented dialogue." The increases in compensation for presidium members of the federal WKÖ and all nine state chambers of commerce, perceived by some as exorbitant, as well as the communication surrounding the increase in wages and salaries of regular chamber employees and multiple compensations, cost Mahrer his position as head of the Chamber of Commerce and the important ÖVP sub-organization Economic Association. Schultz will officially follow as interim WKÖ and Economic Association head at the end of November.

Reactions from the Chambers of Commerce in Upper Austria and Carinthia

The first state chambers to react with press releases on Tuesday were those in Carinthia - where there were no increases for top officials like the local WK head Jürgen Mandl (stable at 6,977 euros) - and Upper Austria. Like Mandl, the WK head there, Doris Hummer (planned increase of 41 percent to 9,853 euros), welcomed the decision to suspend the increase. "Nationwide," the "right course" has now been set. All state chambers have coordinated, said Hummer. Mandl: "After the completely derailed campaign against the Chamber of Commerce in recent days and weeks, I consider this suspension an important first step to objectify the undoubtedly necessary reform discussion and restore a constructive basis."

Initially, the Tyrolean WK head Barbara Thaler defended her - now suspended - increase of 49 percent to twelve times 10,394 euros gross per year. It is compensation for the time spent intensively dealing with and representing business concerns, not for helping in one's own company, she said recently, referring to the significant commitment in her role as WK President. However, on Friday evening, it was finally announced that the increase in official compensation would be withdrawn. "This is an important step to regain credibility. It was the wrong time," Thaler finally said.

Criticism comes from the FPÖ. "This is the next transparent maneuver to appease the outraged entrepreneurs. Mahrer has already tried something similar with the calculation trick of the supposed halving. How stupid does the ÖVP think people are?" declared their Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz. He sees a "sleight of hand trick."

"What exactly does 'suspend' mean? It's just the well-known attempt to postpone the matter until no one is watching anymore, and then quietly and secretly approve the excessive fees, and indeed in full, absurd amounts," said Schnedlitz.

Greens and UNOS Pleased with First Step, Demand More

"The suspension of compensation increases is an important signal," said the head of the Green Economy, Sabine Jungwirth, on Tuesday. However, without profound structural reforms, it remains only a symbolic step. "The Chamber of Commerce must now consistently work on a chamber reform." Then trust can also be restored among the business community.

The spokesperson for UNOS, which are the NEOS in the Chamber of Commerce, Michael Bernhard, also welcomed the suspension. "This stop must only be the beginning and must not distract from the truly necessary structural reforms." The wages and salaries of the Chamber of Commerce employees should also only increase by 2.1 percent and not retroactively by 4.2 percent in July 2026. This point was also one over which Mahrer stumbled, not least because of the communication about it. "The reduction from 4.2 percent to 2.1 percent must of course apply for the entire year 2026, not just until June," said NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos.

WKÖ is an Important Social Partner, Further Calls for Reform

The Chamber of Commerce represents employers in the social partnership. Their representatives negotiate wages and salaries as counterparts to the union. NEOS and Greens are the two smallest factions in the economic parliament of the WKÖ. Larger are the Social Democrats (SWV) and the FPÖ (Freedom Economy). The ÖVP Economic Association governs with an absolute majority.

Many voices from politics and business have recently called for reforms in the WKÖ. Above all, it should be leaner, more efficient, and even more service-oriented for the companies that are mandatory members.

The Freedom Party had also recently vehemently demanded the reversal of the increases for the leading officials. They are not only for a renewal of the chamber but also for an end to mandatory membership altogether. The Federation of Austrian Industries wants contributions to be reduced by 30 percent by 2029 and fundamental reforms.

(APA/Red)

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