Vienna, Innsbruck – Economic Chamber President Harald Mahrer remains in office despite strong criticism from his own ranks about his approach to the salary debate. WKÖ General Secretary Jochen Danninger confirmed that Mahrer’s confidence was “concluded and unanimous” at an internal meeting of the heads of the Economic Chamber on Sunday afternoon in Vienna. Mahrer himself will provide information about the content of the meeting tomorrow, it said.
According to Danninger, today’s summit took place between the presidents of the Austrian Economic Chamber and the nine state chambers “at Mahrer’s request”. He himself asked the question of trust. The WK presidents from Tyrol and Upper Austria, Barbara Thaler and Doris Hummer, had previously described his communication in the salary debate as “a complete disaster” and “amateurish”.
According to media reports, the pressure on the WKÖ President may have been great at times. Well-informed circles told the newspaper in the early afternoon that they were already looking for a successor Austria Press Agency. Upper Austria’s President Hummer was repeatedly mentioned in the media. Mahrer himself always categorically ruled out resignation.
Mahrer causes outrage
After heavy criticism of comparatively generous salary adjustments of 4.2 percent (above inflation) in the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Mahrer initially spoke of a reduction in the planned bonus for employees – but he later qualified his statements. There was initially talk of a halving to 2.1 percent, but in fact there was no increase at all in the first half of the year, but in the second there was an increase of 4.2 percent. This means that the starting value for the following year is significantly higher than it would have been at 2.1 percent for the whole of 2026.
The subsequent outrage stems primarily from the fact that the Chamber of Commerce often demands wage restraint in KV negotiations. For example, the metal industry’s financial statements, which serve as a guideline for other industries, were well below inflation. Mahrer admitted mistakes in the past few days and showed understanding for the criticism, but he still wants to stick to the planned salary adjustment. However, he ruled out a reduction in the chamber levy, which had been demanded by several parties, in view of the difficult economic situation.
“It’s just a disaster”
Before the meeting in Vienna, Tyrol’s WK President Barbara Thaler was “personally shocked and shocked”. Krone shown. “This is a complete disaster, a big mistake, and it cost a lot of trust,” said Thaler about Mahrer’s approach. Upper Austria President Hummer also spoke to the Upper Austrian news of a “completely unfortunate action”. The salary system was “fair”, but “to stick to it unswervingly at a time when everyone has to save money was a mistake”.
Ultimately, the sometimes massive salary increases for state chamber presidents also came under criticism. For example, Thaler’s compensation was increased from 6,400 to 10,000 euros, or more than 60 percent. Hummer – like Mahrer – justifies this with a “system change”. “The functional compensation is 30 percent below the maximum limit or below the consumer price index,” she emphasized. However, according to Mahrer, there will be no increase in salaries for top chamberlains next year.
The bottom line is 28,500 euros gross
Mahrer’s earnings also sparked discussions about appropriateness. Mahrer is President of the Austrian Economic Chamber, President of the Economic Association and President of the General Council of the National Bank. “The bottom line is 28,500 euros gross. Twelve times a year. Yes, that’s a lot of money,” says Mahrer. “But that’s also a lot of responsibility and personal liability.” The Court of Auditors announced that it would examine these multiple payments next year. (WHAT)
