The two studies Statistik Austria published this week confirm a trend observed in other countries, namely that, with or without the crisis, low wages are decreasing. The Austrian wage index particularly looked at the evolution of minimum basic pay for each professional category. In 2010, they increased by 1.6% (3.4% in 2009, 3% in 2008 and 2.5% in 2007). It is the lowest increase since the index was created in 1987. Since inflation rose by 1.9%, real wages went down. Statisticians say this evolution mirrors the adjustment to the crisis of the collective agreements negotiated at the end of 2009 and in 2010. The highest increase was in tourism (2.2%) and the lowest in civil service (1.1%). Meanwhile, the poverty report, also published by Statistik Austria, shows that, in 2009, the number of working poors, full-time employees living below the poverty line, was 241,000, i.e. 7% of the working population. This number is slightly smaller than in 2008 (247,000), but data was collected before the crisis. “When you think that these new figures are based on wages observed in 2008, and don’t take account of the impact of the financial and economic crisis, I think one is allowed to be worried” commented professor Josef Weidenholzer, leader of the Institute of Social Studies of the University of Linz.
n civil service (1.1%). Meanwhile, the poverty report, also published by Statistik Austria, shows that, in 2009, the number of working poors, full-time employees living below the poverty line, was 241,000, i.e. 7% of the working population. This number is slightly smaller than in 2008 (247,000), but data was collected before the crisis. “When you think that these new figures are based on wages observed in 2008, and don’t take account of the impact of the financial and economic crisis, I thin
…Do you have information to share with us?