Austrians against government’s 12-hour working day plan

https://twitter.com/finden_wien/status/1013104638147477504

This photo shows part of the big demonstration in Vienna, Austria against the government’s 12-hour working day plan.

Translated from Dutch NOS TV today:

In Vienna, between 80,000 and 100,000 people took to the streets to protest against the introduction of the 12-hour working day, an intended decision by the government coalition of ÖVP and FPÖ.

The FPÖ party was founded by ex-members of Hitler’s nazi party and includes people singing songs advocating the gassing of Jews.

The yellow and black sign on the left of the photo says: Don’t let nazis rule.

The demonstration was organized by the Austrian trade unions. Trade union leader Wolfgang Katzian called on the government to put the matter before the people in a referendum. …

The conservative government led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) wants to weaken the working hours law in the country and stretch it to a maximum of 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week. At present, a maximum of 10 hours per day applies. The bill will be discussed in parliament next Thursday.

During the demonstration, several speakers discussed possible health risks and the loss of free time that will arise from the law. The chairman of the Austrian employee organization suggested that the number of working hours should be shortened.

This 30 June 2018 German language video from Vienna is about this demonstration of 100,000 people.

Last Saturday saw the biggest demonstration in the Austrian capital since the 2003 protests against pension reforms. More than 100,000 demonstrated against the working time reform being introduced by the government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP), and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the right-wing extremist Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ): here.

Since the beginning of last week, several thousand workers have been striking in the Austrian metal industry. Hundreds of plants across the country are affected by temporary work stoppages. A total of 130,000 workers are employed in the Austrian metal industry. They are striking for higher wages and against the tightening of labour laws by the right-wing government: here.