Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Austria (Ratification: 1973)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

The Committee notes the observations made by the Federal Chamber of Labour (BAK) transmitted together with the Government’s report.

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government indicates that the Austrian Public Employment Service (österreichische Arbeitsmarktservice, AMS) is working to align its organization and processes with the changing requirements of the Austrian labour market. The “ORG Neu” reorganization aims to increase the quality of support provided, to ensure faster placement, and to optimize staff deployment. The reorganization is due to be concluded and evaluated in 2024. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on the digital tools developed: the “Kompetenzmatching” skills matching tool, the “alle jobs” search engine, and the “Berufsinfomat” career information tool. The Committee also notes that in 2018, in order to increase the mobility of workers, a specific competence centre was established for cross-regional job placement, which coordinates the cross-regional placement activities of the Public Employment Service. In its observations, the BAK states that there are major challenges in the Austrian labour market, particularly in view of demographic change and the changing composition of the workforce. In the BAK’s opinion, the reorganization and targets of the Public Employment Service can only be achieved if that entity is given both additional staff and an increased budget for implementing its active labour market policies. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the implementation and evaluation of the “ORG Neu” reorganization of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), including its impact on service quality, staff workloads, and placement performance. Please provide available evaluation findings or key indicators used to measure the reform’s effectiveness in improving the speed and sustainability of job placements.

The Committee further requests the Government to provide statistical information – disaggregated by sex, age, region, and category of jobseeker – on employment applications received, vacancies notified, and persons placed in employment by the AMS at central and local levels, indicating how digital tools (such as the “Kompetenzmatching” system and the “alle jobs” platform) have contributed to improved matching outcomes. In light of the observations of the Federal Chamber of Labour (BAK), the Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the human and financial resources allocated to the AMS for the implementation of active labour-market measures, and to indicate how the adequacy of staff and budgets is assessed in relation to the Service’s mandate under Article 1 of the Convention.

Articles 4 and 5. Participation of the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the mechanisms ensuring the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the governance and functioning of the AMS, including at federal and regional levels (for example, representation in the AMS Supervisory Board or advisory committees). Please describe the role of the social partners in setting priorities, monitoring programmes and designing digitalization reforms. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on any tripartite consultations held concerning labour-market policies or the “ORG Neu” reorganization.

Article 6(d). Cooperation in the administration of unemployment insurance and assistance. The BAK states that in the Austrian unemployment insurance system, there are no provisions which sanction what is known as the “temporary parking” of employees in unemployment insurance − the practice of firing workers and subsequently rehiring them within a short period of time – which results in higher costs for unemployment insurance institutions. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on the observations of the BAK concerning the “temporary parking” of employees in unemployment insurance and to indicate whether this issue has been analysed or addressed through regulatory or administrative measures. Please also describe the arrangements for cooperation between the AMS and the institutions administering unemployment insurance and assistance, including mechanisms for data exchange, prevention of abuse and facilitation of re-employment.

Articles 7 and 8. Measures to meet the needs of specific categories of applicants for employment. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the arrangements made by the AMS to meet the needs of specific categories of applicants, including young persons, persons with disabilities, migrants, older workers and long-term unemployed persons. Please include information on the specialized services or counsellors available, partnerships with educational institutions and employers, and measures implemented under EU and national youth-employment and disability-inclusion initiatives. The Committee also requests data on outcomes achieved – such as the number of participants, placements in lasting employment and retention rates – and on how the AMS evaluates the effectiveness of these targeted measures.