Works Constitution Act (Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz, ArbVG)
Contents of the Works Constitution Act
The duties and participation rights of the works council are governed by the Works Constitution Act (Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz, ArbVG) (specifically Sections 89–92a and Sections 98–112). These include representing employees, as well as rights to information, consultation, and participation in personnel, social, and economic matters. This also includes monitoring compliance with labor law provisions (e.g., collective agreements and employee protection), rights to information, participation in occupational health and safety, and involvement in issues such as gender equality and the work-life balance.
Who negotiates the Labor Constitution Act (Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz)?
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) is responsible for drafting the legislation. Once the social partners agree on key points (or the government proposes a reform), experts at the ministry draft the text. The social partners are, on the employee side, the Chamber of Labor (Arbeiterkammer, AK) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (Österreichische Gewerkschaftsbund, ÖGB), and on the employer side, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKO) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung, IV).