Under the motto “Stand up for your rights,” this year's New Year's reception hosted by the ÖGB European Office and AK EUROPA emphasized the importance of cross-border defense and improvement of workers' rights, especially in times of geopolitical upheaval. After all, Europe is currently one of the regions where workers' rights are most severely restricted.

The important role of social partnership

Gregor Schusterschitz, Austria's Permanent Representative to the European Union, welcomed the guests and spoke about Austria's strong tradition of social partnership. He said that this was one of Austria's greatest assets and a model of constructive cooperation that could serve as inspiration for successful compromise-finding throughout Europe. Regarding the EU, Schusterschitz said that the European social model was not at odds with the EU's competitiveness, but rather a fundamental pillar of Europe's economy and stability.

Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), also emphasized the importance of social partnership: “Strong trade unions and strong collective bargaining policies are not obstacles to economic progress, but rather prerequisites for democracy and social cohesion.”

Increasing pressure on trade union rights

Triangle addressed the Global Rights Index, which is compiled regularly by the ITUC. A total of 150 countries were surveyed in 2025 and classified according to their compliance with or violation of labour rights. The scale ranges from “sporadic violations” (rating 1) to “rights not guaranteed due to the collapse of the rule of law” (rating 5+). Fortunately, Austria is one of seven countries where labour rights violations were only sporadic in 2025. Globally, however, the trend is downward.

“The findings of our global rights index could not be clearer. Trade union rights are under sustained and deepening attack across the world. The erosion of labour rights mirrors the erosion of democracy itself. At the heart of this deterioration is a global wave of authoritarianism and far right policies, often backed by billionaire elites. These forces share a common playbook. Weaken trade unions, criminalize protest, restrict civil liberties, and hollow out democratic institutions. Trade Unions are among the first targets. Precisely because we are the largest democratic force in the world altogether. We therefore have an important role to play in defending democracy worldwide, especially since a small number of billionaires control important parts of society, above all the media. The difference between billionaires and politicians is that politicians come and go after elections, while billionaires remain. That is the greatest threat to democracy," said Luc Triangle. However, the results of the Global Rights Index are not only a warning, but also a reminder of what workers can achieve when they organize. Triangle cited the achievements of workers in Indonesia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana as examples.

International Labour Organization sets social and labour standards

Oliver Röpke, Director of the Office for Workers' Issues at the International Labour Organization (ILO), began by referring to the ILO's founding principles from 1919, according to which lasting global peace can only be achieved on the basis of social justice. “For decades, the ILO has set binding labour and social standards, usually in close cooperation with trade unions, employers, and governments, on many issues such as working hours and freedom of association.” Countries that violate social standards must answer to the ILO. The ILO also sets guaranteed rights for European workers, with the EU and Austrian social partners playing a very active role in this process. In conclusion, Röpke stated that during future EU enlargements, great importance must be attached to social standards and their observance in the run-up to possible EU accession processes.

Protecting and improving labour rights in Austria

Labour rights in Austria and the EU were the focus of the discussion between AK President Renate Anderl and Romana Deckenbacher, Vice President of the ÖGB. The discussion was moderated by Aline Hoffmann from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). Even though the ITUC report only finds “sporadic labour rights violations” in Austria, not everything is in order. Anderl cited several examples, including dismissals shortly before retirement, attempts at intimidation such as a damage claim against the AK for representing employees, and the demotion of an employee after maternity leave. “One figure proves that not everything is in perfect order in Austria either: in 2024, the Chamber of Labour recovered 824 million euros for employees, money that companies had withheld from them.” Another major issue in Austria is wage and social dumping, with the country being particularly exposed to this due to its geographical location. “We have created our own administrative department to recover entitlements withheld from employees and report companies that do not comply with the rules to the authorities. We are concerned not only with the wages of employees, but also with taxes and social security contributions that are lacking.”

ÖGB Vice President Deckenbacher attributed Austria's comparatively good scores in the ITUC index to, among other things, the strong role played by trade unions and the AK. "Employee rights must not only be preserved, but also further developed. We have achieved a great deal in this regard recently, including collective agreements for freelance workers, regulations for working in hot conditions, and more co-determination rights in companies." A very important point is that Austria is the world champion in terms of collective agreement coverage, with 98 percent of employees covered. “Collective agreements are the foundation for fair minimum standards, and they are binding in Austria.” Deckenbacher sees the ILO Convention 190, which has been in force in Austria since September 2025, as a positive development: “With ILO 190, we hope to see a paradigm shift” in which violence and harassment are recognized under labour law and preventive measures are made mandatory for employers.

Anderl and Deckenbacher concluded by naming areas for improvement in labour law and social policy, including strengthening the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Cypriot Presidency has promised this and must now deliver. Anderl: “Social policy is more important than ever, especially in times of multiple crises and challenges.”

Further reading:

ITUC: Global Rights Index 2025
ITUC: Global Rights Index 2025 (Report)
EPSU: Trade union rights under attack across Europe – ITUC Index 2025
ITUC: Indonesia: Trade Unions achieve milestone victory
UNI Global: Union Recognition at DHL Côte d’Ivoire
IndustriALL: Ghanaian government cancels mining licence after union petition
Arbeiterkammer: Leistungsbilanz (only in German)
Arbeiterkammer: Stabstelle für Sozialbetrug (only in German)
Arbeiterkammer: ILO 190: Gewalt im Job wird Riegel vorgeschoben (only in German)
EUR-Lex: European Pillar of Social Rights