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According to a WIFO study, work-related accidents and diseases in Austria cost a total of 12.4 billion euros in 2023, with nearly 90 percent of these costs attributable to work-related illnesses, and especially employees bearing the financial burdens. #Arbeitsunfälle #Gesundheit #Wirtschaftskosten (translated)

DJ P.R. criticized that employees would first be laid off and then less unemployment benefits would be demanded. Those who have such employers do not need enemies, he wrote. He also expressed disdain for the lobbyists of the union and suggested they should be pleased about it. https://t.co/Hd5ENpCBhR #Arbeitslosigkeit #Arbeitnehmerrechte #Lobbyismus (translated)

Dennis Riehle wrote that the reference to a necessary mourning period for Bärbel Bas had initially been understandable, mentioning September 27 and 30 and October 4 for this. Meanwhile, 17 days have passed since the death of Daniela Ambrosius. Riehle referred to Ambrosius as Bas' stepdaughter and pointed out the age difference of about five years, which he argued makes the classification of the relationship between parent and "child" questionable. Riehle criticized that personal grief is used in Berlin as a shield against criticism. According to him, employees usually only have a grace period of 48 to 72 hours after a death in the closest circle and must then take vacation, reduce overtime, or get a sick note. Three weeks of absence with ongoing salary and protection from opposition are unimaginable for ordinary citizens. Criticism of this difference does not relativize the loss but points out different standards, he wrote. Furthermore, Riehle accused the SPD of placing more importance on the consideration of its own members than on political tasks. He referred to low polling numbers and claimed that SPD-led departments had primarily blocked issues, while questions regarding an eight-hour workday, protection against dismissal, basic security, and pensions remained open. Schwesig and Klingbeil responded with admonitions instead of taking responsibility. Riehle also criticized the outgoing SPD chair for giving the coalition partner an unnecessary dressing down instead of handing over her official duties in an orderly manner. He described using sensitivity as an argument against criticism and tears to deflect criticism of poor performance as weak and despicable. #Politik #Gesellschaft #Trauer (translated)

EverydayisWednesday criticized the debate about whether a ministry is allowed to remain silent for weeks after the death of the minister's family member. It is inappropriate to portray people as heartless just because they had criticized the minister months earlier. To provide context, the author shared his own professional experiences: he once caused irritation by refusing to call another freelancer on the day of the sudden death of that person's wife regarding a business matter. A highly specialized engineer, with whom a former partner of the author had worked, however, spoke with his main client even after his wife's cremation. An ordinary employee is entitled to one to three days off upon the death of a spouse or child, EverydayisWednesday wrote. In his view, the standards for leaders in the country have become unbalanced: he pointed to six-figure annual sums for styling and makeup in reference to Klingbeil, while Bas could invoke her feelings during weeks of inactivity. Those who criticize this are portrayed as inhuman, according to the author. In his opinion, such a combination does not exist anywhere in the private sector. #Politik #Gesellschaft #Trauer (translated)

Bernd Kaiser expressed his condolences to Bärbel Bas on the death of her stepdaughter but accused her of politically exploiting the tragedy. He wrote that Bas is resigning from her position as Federal Minister of Labor and the presidency of the SPD party but is keeping her Bundestag mandate. Kaiser criticized that Bas would therefore continue to receive a salary and additionally statutory transitional pay: the full ministerial salary for three months and then half for up to two years. He compared this to the regulations for employees: those who lose a stepchild have no right to statutory special leave; in the public sector, there are two days off for the death of direct relatives. He claimed that Bas did not change this regulation during her time in office. Kaiser accused Bas of evading political responsibility by referring to grief and public attacks while the costs would be borne by taxpayers. #BärbelBas #SPD #Doppelmoral #BärbelBas #SPD #Politik (translated)

The article by Markus Marterbauer addresses the challenges faced by the Finance Minister in Austria, whose increasingly close ties to the structurally conservative representation of workers prevent him from pushing necessary reforms such as tax relief and an increase in the retirement age, while at the same time the country's debt burden is rising. #Wirtschaft #Politik #Österreich (translated)

If it turns out that CDU representatives have elected the AfD candidate as the President of the State Parliament, I expect the party to initiate an expulsion procedure against them. The head of the CDU's employee wing (CDA), Dennis Radtke, has now called for consequences if this is the case. #CDU #AfD #Landtagspräsident (translated)

After the election of the AfD politician Tobias Rausch as President of the State Parliament in Saxony-Anhalt, Dennis Radtke, head of the CDU's labor wing, demands a party exclusion procedure in the case of CDU deviants in order to set clear consequences for any votes by CDU deputies for the AfD candidate. #CDU #AfD #Landtagspräsident (translated)

The Chamber of Labor and the trade union demand an increase in the contribution rate to the insolvency compensation fund in order to close a looming funding gap and secure the rights of employees, while the Chamber of Commerce and other business representatives advocate against this measure and instead suggest cuts in benefits and administration of the fund. #Insolvenzentgeltfonds #Beitragssatzerhöhung #Sozialbetrug (translated)

Emanuel Boeminghaus wrote that high earners and their employers would have to pay higher social contributions in 2027. He referred to a report by WELT stating that the contribution assessment ceiling for health insurance would rise from 5,812.50 to 6,375 euros per month. At unchanged contribution rates, this would mean that those with statutory health insurance, with one child and an income above the new limit, would take home about 102 euros less per month or more than 1,220 euros a year. Employers would also have to pay an additional approximately 102 euros monthly for correspondingly well-paid employees; together, this would create an additional burden of about 203 euros per month and more than 2,400 euros annually. Boeminghaus criticized that Germany is making well-paid work more expensive and increasing corporate costs. Additionally, he accused those responsible of disregarding high performers. https://t.co/NwR1rJzxrG #Sozialabgaben #Arbeit #Deutschland (translated)

Torsten Heinrich wrote that companies shifted their costs onto employees through lower wages and onto customers through higher prices. The same applies to the employer's share of social security: an employer does not calculate with a salary of 2,800 euros, but with total monthly costs of about 3,500 euros. This amount must be generated by the employee, which is why the actual salary is at 3,500 euros, Heinrich argued. The state forces employers to not disclose part of the costs on the pay slip. As a result, many employees believe that the employer pays the employer's share, and they do not notice how high their actual taxes and contributions are, he wrote. He provocatively asked whether the employer takes on a side job after hours for that reason. #Arbeitgeberanteil #Steuern #Arbeitsmarkt (translated)