Austria's Women's Minister calls for wage transparency to close pension gap

On the occasion of Equal Pension Day, Austrian Minister for Women Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) called for the swift implementation of the EU wage transparency directive to combat the gender pension gap. Holzleitner argued that the gap, where men statistically receive as much pension as women by the end of the year, is the result of workplace inequality, including lower earnings and a higher prevalence of part-time work among women.

While a draft for national implementation has been proposed, political negotiations in Austria remain stalled. The proposal, submitted by Labor Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), would require companies with over 100 employees to produce income reports and grant employees the right to know average salaries for equivalent roles. However, the ÖVP and NEOS have expressed opposition, citing concerns over bureaucracy and the need for social partner agreement.

Additionally, the pension gap has drawn criticism from the Caritas and Chamber of Labour President Renate Anderl, who highlighted that care work remains disproportionately in the hands of women. The discourse has been further complicated by controversial comments from ÖVP leader Christian Stocker regarding the value of childcare.