Publications
Job quality index (JQI)
[30-10-2011]
The ETUI started work on this issue in January 2008 as a response to insufficient indicators on job quality at the European level.
Studies | Consumers
 | Main report |
Access to a basic account – Withdrawal of planned legislative measure
[17-08-2011]
The Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (BAK) and many social institutions and consumer organisations throughout the European Union welcomed the Commission to take legislative action on access to basic banking services for all EU citizens or persons residing in the EU. The Commission has now decided only to give a recommendation instead of taking legislative action. BAK views this step as insufficient and disappointing for many working class people and consumers.
Policy Papers | Consumers - Economic
| Main report |
AK Europa position on credit agreements relating to residential property
[23-06-2011]
AK basically welcomes the initiative of the Commission to regulate credit agrements relating to residential property. It is concerned, however, about this task being done at the current time and under time pressure. Many Member States, including Austria, introduced new regulations for credit agreements relating to residential property while implementing the Consumer Credit Directive about one year ago. In Austria, all essential provisions apply equally to consumer credit agreements and residential property credit agreements with the exception of the right of withdrawal.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Position on the study of the European Commission on interest rate restrictions in the EU
[24-05-2011]
The AK welcomes that the Commission has taken up the subject of interest rate restrictions and its intention to ascertain the status quo through the study. Interest rate restrictions represent an important element of consumer protection and debt prevention. Statutory interest rate restrictions as protective regulations are essential in particular for consumers, who are due to financial difficulties in default with (instalment) payments.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
AK-Position on the revision of the Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD)
[20-05-2011]
The AK welcomes the fact that the Commission as part of the revision of the Insurance Mediation Directive (in short: IMD) is aiming at strengthening consumer protection and we share the opinion of the Commission that need for action exists with regard to conflicts of interests and in particular in respect of commission and cost transparency.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
AK-position to the Consultation Paper of the EU Commission – “Towards a Coherent European Approach to Collective Redress in the EU”
[27-04-2011]
The Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour welcomes the initiative of the EU Commission to create mechanisms of collective redress. AK has been pushing for the implementation of such measures in national procedural law for many years.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Regulations for Japanese food imports following the Fukushima reactor accident
[15-04-2011]
The Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour would like to draw your attention to the high level of public criticism, which the Implementing Regulation No. 297/2011 of 25 March 2011 has entailed in Austria.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Packaged Retail Investment Products Initiative (investment products for small investors) Position on the Proposal of the European Commission
[30-03-2011]
The AK welcomes the intention linked with the PRIPS initiative to increase investor information and consumer protection. The AK is in favour of primarily designing products in a simple and comprehensive manner - and not only the product-related information.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Green Paper on “policy options for progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses”
[28-02-2011]
The AK is expressly opposed to the optional contract law instrument. This instrument poses a particular problem for consumers, as it burdens them, in their capacity as the weaker economic partners, with the decision on the most favourable choice of law – a decision, which most consumers, because of their lack of having detailed knowledge of the actual options, are not up to.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on the comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union
[22-02-2011]
The development of the protection of fundamental rights in Europe is a particular concern for the Federal Chamber of Labour (AK). Against this background, the AK is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the Communication from the Commission on plans in the data
protection area.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Energy – Survey concerning vulnerable consumers in the energy sector
[21-02-2011]
We welcome the engagement ot the BEUC to make a comprehensive contribution concerning the EU-wide situation in respect of fuel poverty within the scope of the meeting of the European Consumer Consultative Group (ECCG) in Ocotber in London.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Position of the AK on the public consultation on the Conclusions of the Fifth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion
[21-02-2011]
From the workers’ perspective it is very much to be welcomed that all EU
regions will continue to receive structural funds in future. All Member States are faced with major socioeconomic challenges for broad sections of the population both in urban and rural areas. These have to be tackled with the support of cohesion policy.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Assessment and comment on the consultation to the „White Paper on Insurance Guarantee Schemes”
[12-01-2011]
The AK welcomes the intention of the European Commission to propose the establishment of an EU-wide Insurance Guarantee Scheme.
Policy Papers | Economic - Consumers
| Main report |
Recast of directive 94/19/EC on Deposit Guarantee Schemes
[20-12-2010]
In view of the experiences with the dramatic developments of the 4th quarter 2008, the AK wonders whether a predominantly ex-ante financed fund represents the adequate solution for preventing a bank run, as in systemic crises the funds would be subject to the same capital market risks as other investors.
Policy Papers | Economic - Consumers
| Main report |
Position on the proposal of the European Parliament and the Council on reforming the Investor Compensation Scheme Directive
[15-12-2010]
The insolvency of an Austrian financial group in 2005 might cause about 10,000 investors to suffer losses from security investments - mainly attributable to malversations. This case alone
demonstrates that planned reforms in the Investor Compensation Scheme Directive are generally welcome.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Consultation on access to a basic payment account
[07-12-2010]
The AK shares the findings of the Commission that the market in many cases does not enable sufficient access to a current account, which is a basic financial service. In 2009, the AK had already outlined the Austrian situation in its position within the scope of the Consultation on financial integration and supported the idea that access to a basic current account should be guaranteed by law.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
EU Initiative on Concessions
[03-11-2010]
The Commission already proclaims in the questionnaire the target of an envisaged initiative: the objectives named are aimed at ensuring competition and access to the market for foreign applicants in the sector of concession contracts; at guaranteeing legal security, transparency and equal treatment for economic operators and at developing Public Private Partnerships.
Policy Papers | Economic - Consumers
| Main report |
Presentation of Christian Prantner
[15-10-2010]
Presentation of Christian Prantner on the occasion of the panel discussion "Lessons from the Financial Crisis: Strengthening Consumer Protection in Financial Services" by AK EUROPA and ÖGB Europabüro on the 09th of February 2011 in Brussels.
Presentations | Consumers
| Main report |
AK position paper on Regulatory Aspects of Smart Metering for Electricity and Gas
[05-10-2010]
In view of the extremely euphoric expectations on the performance of the so-called smart meter, the AK is very sceptical whether these can be fulfilled. This scepticism is fuelled by the expected costs associated with its introduction and operation; as it stands, figures of 1.8 billion Euros have been named for Austria. At national level, a wide range of institutions have already prepared cost-benefit-analyses, some of which seem to indicate very high energy saving potentials. Unfortunately, these analyses were prepared in anticipation of the cost-benefit analysis recommended in Recommendation 14 of the ERGEG and do not consider at all the comprehensive coverage of the entire added value chain - from producer to consumer - but only focus on individual sectors.
Policy Papers | Consumers - Economic
| Main report |
AK position paper on the proposal of the European Commission on the amendment of the Prospectus Directive of 24.9.2009
[21-01-2010]
In Austria, thousands of small investors have lost their entire or a large part of their savings because of the financial crisis. These losses were also made possible by the fact that investors were not (or not adequately) informed about the high-risk character of the investments, even though the capital market prospectuses had listed all possible risks.
Policy Papers | Economic - Consumers
| Main report |
AK position paper on food information to consumers
[08-10-2009]
A proposal on redrafting the Food Labelling Directive was introduced by the EU at the end of January 2008. The AK is sceptical. Examinations by the AK in the past have shown that consumers often regard food labelling as insufficient. Against this background, AK has assessed the submitted draft proposal.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
AK position paper on the Commission‘s consultation on the review of the Prospectus Directive
[02-04-2009]
The AK suggests improving information given to investors. In Austria, thousands of small investors have lost their entire or a major part of their savings because of the financial crisis. Their losses were also caused by the fact that investors had not (or not adequately) been informed about the degree of risk involved in their investments, although the capital markets brochures had listed all sorts of possible risks.
Policy Papers | Consumers - Economic
| Main report |
AK position on the Proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights
[27-11-2008]
AK urgently warns that a model for merging different EU consumer protection provisions based on full harmonisation would substantially lower the level of consumer protection at national level. For example the draft directive would bring a dramatic change for the worse as regards unfair contract terms. The objective of strengthening EU consumer protection is unsatisfactorily met with the proposed directive, needed efforts to update EU consumer protection are too little in evidence.
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
Green Paper on Retail Financial Services in the Single Market
[18-09-2007]
AK EUROPA demands clear, transparent and unambigious information
Policy Papers | Consumers
| Main report |
