She reacted too late and took too few measures for higher vaccination rates. She was against coercion, stressed Anderl and pleaded for more incentives for those who have not yet been vaccinated due to fear or indecision. Because of the situation in the hospitals, she is still in favor of compulsory vaccination. “I don’t know the alternative.”
In the case of the law for the planned general compulsory vaccination, however, it is important that this is placed on a broad basis, said Anderl. The Chamber of Labor will also look closely at the consequences for employees. Regardless of this, the focus must continue to be on convincing unvaccinated people instead of punishing them or discussing the end of free tests. “Let’s stop the division in society,” she said. Anderl named a vaccination bonus as an example of how to get those who are hesitant to vaccinate. This would still be cheap compared to the cost of lockdowns. In addition, it is important to emphasize the advantages of vaccination even more, for example that in the event of an infection, despite the vaccination, only a mild course can be expected. In any case, the Vienna Chamber of Labor will start a vaccination campaign on Monday under the “Viennese” motto #Gehbitte (https://wien.arbeiterkammer.at/gehbitte), which will primarily run online.
Video: Consequences of compulsory vaccination from February
Opening trading on Advent Sunday, as discussed in view of the current lockdown, is only conceivable for Anderl if the employees work on this day voluntarily and if they are offered incentives to do so. She rejects a general opening of shops on Sundays. “There can only be this one Sunday”, she also sees no need at all. “We have a definite no.”
When it comes to unemployment benefits, she insists on an increase to 70 percent of the last income, and more alternatives are needed to get more people into employment. She appealed to Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) to stop the job cuts planned at the Public Employment Service (AMS) from 2023, after all, there is currently only one employee for every 250 job seekers.
Regarding home office, which is used particularly heavily in lockdown, Anderl said that there was seldom a break at home. She is “convinced” that people in the home office “work more”. The AK is against a pure or predominant home office, contact with the company and colleagues should not be lost. With a lot of home office, the question arises as to whether the employees would still be in Austria at all. “You have to look at it critically,” said Anderl.
Video: The future of the home office
If men and women worked at home in partnerships, the man, if any, would use the office and the woman would often work at the kitchen table. “Due to the pandemic, injustices between the sexes are shown again with a magnifying glass,” said the AK boss.
Source From: Nachrichten
