Austria to legally secure nursing bonus amid union praise
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Austrian Health Minister Korinna Schumann announced plans to legally secure the "nursing bonus" for healthcare professionals.
- The bonus, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, was previously threatened with discontinuation in Salzburg but was reinstated after protests.
- Unions have welcomed the move, emphasizing the need for long-term financial recognition for nursing staff.
Austrian Health Minister Korinna Schumann has announced her intention to legally secure the "nursing bonus," a payment introduced to recognize the significant burdens faced by healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move aims to provide long-term financial stability for nursing staff.
the nursing staff are a 'very essential factor'.
The bonus, currently amounting to 2,200 euros annually for full-time employees and disbursed monthly, is managed by the federal states. The announcement follows a period of uncertainty when the state of Salzburg initially declared it would cease payments, only to reverse the decision after widespread protests, including one of the largest demonstrations in decades.
Schumann emphasized the critical role of nursing staff, referring to them as a "very essential factor." Alongside other measures, such as opening up heavy work regulations for nurses, she confirmed the plan to legislate the bonus. Federal budget funds for this purpose are already allocated within the current financial equalization agreement between the federal government and the states, which extends until the end of 2028. Schumann intends to establish a mandatory earmarking of these funds specifically for the bonus payments, a plan she aims to "set in motion" alongside the expansion of mobile nursing care.
That the salary increase will also reach those in the coming years who secure healthcare and nursing services in Austria every day.
Unions have expressed strong approval of the minister's announcement. Reinhard Waldhör, chairman of the GÖD-Health Union, stated that the earmarked funding ensures "that the salary increase will also reach those in the coming years who secure healthcare and nursing services in Austria every day." He added that the approximately 180,000 employees have earned this recognition. The GÖD union recalled its fight last year, alongside employees and the public, to preserve the bonus in Salzburg. Martina Lackner, a nursing expert at the ÖGB (Austrian Trade Union Federation), called the earmarking of funds for the bonus a "very good piece of news" ensuring it benefits nursing and care staff nationwide. However, unions also stressed the importance of ensuring the bonus continues beyond 2028.
That through the earmarking of funds the nursing bonus actually goes to the employees in nursing and care nationwide is very good news.
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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