Party of Labour of Austria- On the Austrian EU Presidency / Zur österreichischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft

Statement by the Party of Labour of Austria (PdA), Vienna, 1 July 2018.

From 1 July 2018 Austria will take its turn in the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. This applies in particular to the meetings of the General Affairs Council (the European and/or foreign ministers) and the meetings of the other specialist ministers of the EU member states, for which Gernot Blümel or his government colleagues responsible will act as hosts. 

Vienna Protests: Thousands rallied against government's plans to extend working day to 12 hours

Tens of thousands of people in Vienna packed the streets on Saturday 30th June to voice their opposition to the new anti-worker laws of the far-right government which include a 12-hour workday and subsequent 60-hour workweek. 

While Austrian police said some 80,000 people took part, organizers by the Austrian Trade Union Confederation talk about a massive demonstration of 100,000-120,000 participants from all provinces and industries. 

"We will resist with all means at our disposal," Wolfgang Katzian, president of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), told the crowd of protesters. Katzian called on the Austrian government to let voters decide on the 12-hour workday issue in a referendum.