During the demonstrations organized by the Austrian Union of Trade Unions (ÖGB), banners reading “Stop price increases” and “Prices down, salaries up” were unfurled. In the demonstrations, which took place in approximately 40 places across the country, with the participation of a total of 30 thousand people, besides the capital city, it was demanded to increase the salaries of the employees, especially the minimum wage, and to prevent the cost of living.
A MINIMUM WAGE WAS NOT AGREEMENT
Speaking at the demonstration, ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian stated that an agreement was not reached in the minimum wage negotiations that started last week due to the increasing inflation, and argued that a similar reduction arrangement made by the government for electricity prices should be made for natural gas prices as well.
Renate Anderl, President of the Chamber of Workers, pointed out that large companies made significant gains in this process, and said that the government should take action against this situation and demanded the taxation of high incomes.
SUPPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT
Meanwhile, current President Alexander Van der Bellen, who is a candidate for the second time in the presidential elections to be held on September 9, announced that he supports the demonstrations organized throughout the country in a post on his social media account.
Van der Bellen stated that he could not attend the demonstrations as the President, but that he found the demands of the workers, who were crushed by the high cost of living, appropriate.
Inflation in the country continued to climb due to the Russia-Ukraine War, reaching the highest level since 1975 with 10 percent.
Although the government has announced various aid packages in the face of the cost of living, no serious steps have been taken regarding salaries yet.
The Austrian Trade Union Union is demanding that the minimum wage, which is currently 1600 euros gross, be increased to 2,000 euros gross. (AA)