Austrian trade unions demand measures to alleviate inflation

The Federation of Austrian Trade Unions (ÖGB) took to the streets on Saturday to demand that the government take measures to alleviate the rising prices of basic necessities.

More than 32,000 people, according to the ÖGB, have taken to the streets of Vienna in support of the protest. The police have not given an official attendance figure.

“Inflation has long since reached the core of society,” said ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian in his address to the demonstrators. Katzian stressed that both young and old are concerned about rising prices.

The coalition government between the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Greens has announced a series of measures to tackle the impact of inflation and plans actions in the field of electricity and adjusting income tax to avoid a loss of purchasing power.

Now the ÖGB is calling for a cap on the cost of heating bills, a temporary suspension of VAT on food and a tax on electricity companies.

As early as Monday, the annual negotiations between employers and unions to revise workers’ wages begin.