Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Austria (Ratification: 1972)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and active labour market measures. Following the 2010 observation, the Government provided a review of the labour market situation and the measures envisaged under the Integrated Economic and Employment Policy Guidelines for the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Committee notes that already in March 2010 the trend in the Austrian labour market reversed, following the economic recovery in the second half of 2009. The number of unemployed persons registered with the labour exchange services (AMS) has continuously decreased. The unemployment rate (in percentage of persons gainfully employed, according to Eurostat) was 4.8 per cent in February 2011. Until 2014, the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) envisages a further decrease of the unemployment rate to 3.9 per cent. Real growth of GDP of more than 3 per cent is expected in 2011 (in 2010, GDP growth was estimated at 2.1 per cent). The increase in GDP is primarily fostered by the export economy and private consumer spending. The Committee further notes efforts mentioned by the Government to increase the employment rate of 20 to 64 year-olds to between 77 and 78 per cent, with a focus on a significantly greater share of employment among older workers, especially by raising the effective retirement age to 62. Measures relating to the raising of the retirement age would be further developed and extended by adult training. The Government also refers to the employment campaign for the integration of persons with disabilities (some €135 million were allocated in 2010). The focus was on preserving jobs for persons with disabilities, which was achieved by the temporary introduction of short-time working. A new immigration system for non-European Union nationals and European Economic Area States was introduced based on the admission without quota of highly skilled workers and specialists where there is a shortage. The Government recalls that social dialogue plays an increasing and decisive role. No important decision can be taken by the Government without the agreement of the social partners’ organizations. The Committee notes the performance of the Austrian economy and sustained job growth. It looks forward to receiving from the Government, in its next report, an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures, in particular, with regard to vulnerable groups, such as low-skilled workers, persons with disabilities and immigrant workers. The Committee would also appreciate continuing to receive information and data on successes, problems encountered and lessons to be learned from the experience of social partners in Austria with regard to the application of the Convention.

Youth employment. The Committee notes the detailed information communicated by the Federal Chamber of Labour regarding young workers and apprentices. It notes that the number of places for trainees in the courses run under the Youth Guarantee Act decreased from 4,097 in 2008 to 414 in 2010. This apparently shows that it was not possible to place all the young apprenticeship seekers in in-house apprenticeships, since the industry has been withdrawing more and more from apprenticeship training over the past few years and the supply of places for apprentices has not kept pace with demand. According to the Federal Chamber of Labour, the authorities considered that pressure is continuing on the apprenticeship market despite some new measures introduced to promote apprentice training. Further measures must therefore be taken to enable apprenticeship seekers to obtain consistent training and thus ensure that young persons complete their vocational training as a basis for their future working life and have good prospects in the labour market. The Government indicated in its report that key focus was given to the optimization of labour market opportunities for young persons as it was the 15–24 year age group that was seriously affected by the financial and economic crisis which shaped labour market policy in 2009 and 2010. Among other measures, new vocational schools were established to provide young persons with basic schooling as well as social and educational support for a gradual introduction into the labour market through a combination of work and learning. The Committee invites the Government to include detailed information in its next report on the efforts made to provide skills to young persons, and the results achieved in terms of ensuring lasting employment for young persons who enter the labour market.