📋 Tender Overview
An amendment to the Labour Constitution Act implements the parts of an EU directive that affect the co-determination rights of works councils and employees in the case of transformations and demergers of corporations. These include, for example, the establishment of a special negotiating body and the delegation of employee representatives to supervisory boards. In this context, an amendment to the Labour and Social Court Act is also necessary.
Josef Muchitsch (SPÖ) expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the implementation of the EU Directive on cross-border corporations will protect workers' rights in the event of changes in the form of companies. However, the SPÖ was initially "irritated" that the Chamber of Commerce had tried to include provisions on protection against dismissal in the government bill that did not comply with the social partner agreement. Since this passage has now been removed, his group gives its approval.
A strengthening of workers' rights is fundamentally positive, said Dagmar Belakowitsch (FPÖ). However, the federal government had wanted to "swindle" into the government bill provisions that would have undermined the equality of workers and employees. As a result of this attempt, her group will continue to refuse to give its consent.
Martin Koza (Greens) expressed his satisfaction with the agreement reached. The amendment also ensures, with provisions on the labour courts, that the place of jurisdiction is clearly established in the event of disputes.
Gerald Loacker (NEOS) used his speech on this agenda item to point out that, due to the Postal Works Constitution Act, Österreichische Post AG had to release about twice as many works councillors from work as companies covered by the Labour Constitution Act. There are historical reasons for this that have long since disappeared. In a motion for a resolution, Loacker argued that Österreichische Post AG, like all other companies, should be subject to the Labour Constitution Act. The motion did not find a majority in plenary.
"We live and breathe social dialogue," said Bettina Zopf (ÖVP), who was satisfied with the regulation for cross-border corporations. The rights of employees would be safeguarded by the regulations that have now been adopted. Social partnership agreements would play a positive role in labour policy, Zopf stressed.
