Warum ist die Sozialpartnerschaft wichtig?

Sachlich, verständlich

Why is the social partnership so important?

Ensuring constructive industrial relations

In recent decades, the social partners have negotiated solutions that protect a range of different interests, and as a result, social harmony prevails here in Austria.

The main aim is to resolve conflicting interests at the negotiating table. Industrial action such as strikes are always the last resort. Actually, strikes are very rare in Austria compared with other countries. The reason: the achievements of Austria’s social partnership over the years.

Sachlich, in leichter Sprache

The social partnership is all about finding compromises that satisfy both employees and employers. That’s how Austria has done things for decades. The social partnership gives everyone a sense of security. It ensures a balanced society – that’s why it’s so important. Without the social partners, there would be no collective agreements, the welfare state would be on shaky ground, and many laws just wouldn’t satisfy employees’ needs.

Witzig, mit anschaulichen Vergleichen, in DU

Working together makes things so much easier. If you want to talk your parents round, you’re more likely to succeed with some help from your brother or sister, or maybe your aunty. It’s the same with the social partnership. The best people from various fields – unions, the Chamber of Labour, business, industry and agriculture – get around the table. Then they try to find the best possible solutions for workers and the economy. If it didn’t work like that, one group would always be at a disadvantage.