Steel foundation
The Stahlstiftung is an initiative of around 80 Austrian companies with the goal of offering a social network to employees from participating companies who have lost their jobs due to economic or structural changes in the company. The steel foundation has its legal basis in the amendment of the Unemployment Insurance Act 1988.
history
The foundation was conceived and established jointly by works councils and managers in 1987. This was due to the need to create future prospects for employees who had lost their jobs after the economic difficulties at voestalpine in 1985. Political support as in 1985 (legal regulation of early retirement) was no longer to be expected. The conception of the steel foundation was based heavily on the model of the Dillinger Hütte in Saarland, Germany, which already existed at the time .
aims
The primary goal is to actively assist in reintegration into working life. The now unemployed employees are supported in their job search, they can further their practical and theoretical training and new perspectives are developed together in the form of coaching. The “clients” not only receive practical help, but are also financially supported by the foundation's assets.
financing
The foundation is financed by a solidarity contribution of the employees in the amount of 0.25% of the gross income, the interest income of the capital contributed by the foundation members in the amount of half of their severance payments and the training unemployment benefit of the labor market service, which the unemployed receive. The companies participating in the foundation provide the infrastructure and thus support the idea.
literature
- Nigsch, O .: Functional change of the VOEST-ALPINE steel foundation . Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kovac, 2000.