Austria: woman are more and more confined to part-time employment and low wages

Two studies of the federal Chamber of Work show that Austrian women are more and more distant from the labour market, especially since the lengthening of the parental allowance period in 2002. (Ref. 061273)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Since the reform of the parental allowance in 2002, which increased from two to three years the maximum period of payment (446euros/ month), Austrian women are staying out of the labour market longer and longer. Before the reform, 42 % of them returned in the second year after the birth. Today the rate is 19 %. This tendency is accompanied by a strong increase of female presence in complementary and part-time jobs. During the parental leave, women can get the full allowance and work for a maxim

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...