Corona short-time work has declined significantly since the beginning of the year

The Ministry of Labor announced. In the first half of the year, at least 250,000 people from short-time work found employment again. A gradual decline in short-time work can still be expected in the coming months, according to Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP). In detail, the figures are as follows: In January 2021, 407,974 people were on short-time work, in February it was 397,994, in March 322,939, in April 275,827 and in May 224,811. In June, 119,367 people have been counted on short-time work so far, but the accounting has not yet been completed. The Ministry of Labor assumes that the number could increase by 10,000 to 20,000 people. Thus, between January and June, there is a difference of at least 250,000 fewer people in short-time work, according to the ministry.

The accounts would show that the use of short-time working had been gradually falling since the beginning of the year. The first noticeable decline already occurred in March after the opening of trade and body-related services. The opening steps in May would have reduced short-time work, especially in the catering and tourism sectors. In the production of goods and in construction, the numbers are generally significantly lower this year than last year. According to the information, the use of short-time working has decreased evenly in all federal states and more than halved in the first half of 2021.

For Labor Minister Kocher, the results of phase 4 of short-time working (from April to June 2021) show that the opening steps “have had clearly positive effects on the labor market”. For the next few months, a gradual decline in registrations for short-time work can be expected. “For the transition model from July 2021, this means that the number of actual short-time workers could drop to below 100,000,” said Kocher, according to the announcement.