Austria’s WKO chief admits pay raise blunders amid resignation calls

A pay raise scandal rocks Austria’s business elite. As critics demand resignations, can an emergency Zoom summit salvage the WKO’s crumbling reputation?

, and Administrator

2025 November 9 . 5:16 PM

1 min read

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Austria’s WKO chief admits pay raise blunders amid resignation calls

Harald Mahrer, president of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO), has acknowledged communication blunders surrounding employee pay raises. The admission follows criticism from various political parties and calls for his resignation.

Mahrer has summoned all nine regional chamber presidents to an urgent zoom meeting in Vienna to tackle the growing controversy. Elisabeth Götze, the Green Party's economic spokesperson, has lambasted the WKO leadership for their 'arrogance' and 'hypocrisy', pointing out the irony of awarding themselves pay raises while advocating austerity.

Michael Schnedlitz, secretary-general of the far-right FPÖ, has gone a step further, demanding Mahrer's resignation and the abolition of compulsory chamber membership and fees. Meanwhile, the representatives of the UNOs within the Economic Chamber have proposed an 'image restoration package'. This includes a capped pay raise, reversal of recent salary increases, and the establishment of an independent task force to oversee sustainable reforms.

The WKO faces mounting pressure to address the pay raise controversy. Mahrer's emergency zoom meeting with regional presidents aims to find a resolution. Political parties continue to scrutinize the WKO's leadership and decisions, with some calling for significant changes.