Chamber of Labor Act
The federal law on the chambers for workers and white-collar workers and the federal chamber for workers and white-collar workers ( Chamber of Labor Act 1992 - AKG) forms the legal basis for the Austrian chambers of labor .
history
Already in the 19th century there was a demand to set up a Chamber of Labor as a legal representation of the interests of the employees , following the example of the Chamber of Commerce , the Chamber of Physicians and Architects . However, this requirement could only be enforced after the First World War. On February 26, 1920, the National Council passed with the votes of all parliamentary groups the Chamber of Labor Act initiated by Social Affairs Minister Ferdinand Hanusch , according to which such a chamber could now be set up in every federal state. From 1920 to 1934, Vienna and Lower Austria had a joint chamber of labor.
The chambers of labor are a special feature of Austria. Originally, two different sections were provided for workers and employees. An amendment to the law of October 1, 1920 set up a further section for employees of public transport companies. Each of the nine federal states has its own chamber of labor. Together they form the Federal Chamber of Labor , which is responsible for all of Austria. The Austrian Chamber of Labor, which meets at least twice a year, was set up to coordinate the activities.
After the elimination of the Austrian parliament in the spring of 1933 there were no more AK elections. On January 1, 1934, government commissioners were appointed and administrative commissions were appointed. In the following corporate state , the chambers of labor were incorporated into the system of the state-controlled " Union of Austrian Workers and Salaried Employees ". The National Socialist rulers then dissolved it completely in 1938.
The legislation of the second democratic republic followed directly on from that of the first. As early as July 20, 1945, the National Council decided to re-establish the chambers of labor under democratic self-government. The new version of the AK Act 1954 brought, above all, a clearer definition of membership and tasks as well as more precise provisions on the right to vote. As a new body of the AK, the specialist committees were set up as a successor to the assistant committees that had previously existed outside the AK.
The 1954 Chamber of Labor Act - updated again and again through the renewal of individual provisions - remained in force for almost 38 years. After this long time, a major reform became necessary. It was introduced with the Chamber of Labor Act 1992 and continued on the basis of the new law in the following years.