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24-Hour Care Workers Protest Austria's Social Ministry Over Pension Fears
🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

24-Hour Care Workers Protest Austria's Social Ministry Over Pension Fears

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • 24-hour care workers in Austria protested outside the Social Ministry for better pension conditions.
  • They highlighted that their current employment model, often characterized as bogus self-employment, leads to insufficient pensions, with some receiving as little as 100 euros per month.
  • The protest, under the slogan "We care for everyone – who cares for us?!", demanded immediate improvements for pensions and better sick leave coverage.

Dozens of 24-hour care workers demonstrated Tuesday in front of Austria's Social Ministry, demanding improved conditions, particularly concerning their pensions. The protest highlighted the precarious financial future faced by caregivers who often work as "bogus self-employed" individuals.

We offer tens of thousands of people in Austria a dignified old age. But we ourselves face a future of poverty in old age.

— spokesperson for IG24Stating the reason for the protest and the dire future faced by caregivers.

Under the banner "We care for everyone – who cares for us?!", the self-organized group "IG24" voiced concerns that the current system fails to provide a secure retirement. "We offer tens of thousands of people in Austria a dignified old age. But we ourselves face a future of poverty in old age," a spokesperson stated. "Anyone who takes responsibility for decades should not be fobbed off with a pension they cannot live on in old age."

The core issue lies in low honoraria, which result in minimal pension entitlements, often as low as 100 euros per month. IG24 called for both immediate steps to increase pensions and better sickness benefits. They pointed out that caregivers insured with the Commercial Sector's Social Insurance (SVS) only receive support after 42 days of sick leave, a threshold they find difficult to manage.

Anyone who takes responsibility for decades should not be fobbed off with a pension they cannot live on in old age.

— spokesperson for IG24Highlighting the injustice of low pensions despite long-term responsibility.

The demonstration sought to draw attention to the systemic problems within the 24-hour care model, emphasizing that the caregivers' dedication to others contrasts sharply with their own uncertain financial futures.

We care for everyone – who cares for us?!

— ProtestersThe slogan of the protest, encapsulating their plea for support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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