The faction of Christian trade unionists in Austria (FCG) demands the consistent implementation of real freedom of choice during working hours on the occasion of the continuing debate and due to the challenges in many women -dominated industries.
“Retail, healthcare and the care industry are particularly affected, where part-time employment is often not voluntary, but structurally forced. Freedom of choice must not remain empty phrases,” emphasizes ÖGB Vice President and FCG federal chair.
Part -time must not be prohibited – but also not prescribed structurally
The FCG emphasizes: It takes two pages of real freedom of choice:
1. If you want to work more, you have to be able to do this – through fairly offered full -time models, predictability and childcare infrastructure.
2. If you want to consciously work less, you should also have the right – even if this brings personal financial consequences.
“The right to part-time must remain individually and personally,” emphasizes FCG general secretary Michael Schediwy-Zenek. “Nobody can be forced to work more than she or he can answer-be it for family, health or personal reasons. Ideas such as Malus system for part-time employees or reward fantasies for full-time employees are abstruse, split and not expedient.”
The FCG makes it clear that the decision on the scope of working hours must be with the individual – also in knowledge of later effects on pension claims or social benefits. An honest, transparent advice on these consequences is necessary – but it must not be a pressure of part -time choice.
Industry with a part -time structural – numbers & problems
· In the trade, the part -time share of women is over 80 % – often involuntarily.
· Around 70 % of part -time work in care, although many could do more if the framework conditions were correct.
· In the health sector, part -time is mostly “forced” through inflexible layer systems and lack of planning.
FCG claims: Secure freedom of choice-reduce structural barriers
Among other things, the FCG calls for:
· Right to voluntary working time expansion
· Childcare also at outskirts
· Reliable duty roster
· Recognition of part -time models in career paths
· Respect for conscious life decisions in favor of family, health or care work
“Anyone who looks after children, cares for relatives or has other obligations deserves respect – not sanctions,” emphasizes Romana Deckenbacher. “The FCG stands for a world of work in which people are not pushed part -time – and are not displaced from part -time.