Care recognised as hard work: vida demand is implemented
Years of union commitment are having an effect – nurses will be able to retire earlier in the future.
A great success for employees in the care sector: On 1 January 2026, nursing professions will be officially recognised as heavy work. This implements a long-standing demand of the trade union vida, which has been campaigning for better pension regulations in the health and social professions for years.
"It is gratifying that our union commitment has had an effect in a first step."stellvertretender Vorsitzender der Gewerkschaft vida
"This decision by the Federal Government is a success for all those who support our health system with commitment and expertise. And it shows: Our political work works,"
emphasize Gerald Mjka, deputy chairman of vida, and Sylvia Gassner, chairwoman of the vida Department of Social Services.
Important first step for fair pensions
The new regulation applies to qualified health and nursing staff, nursing assistants and nursing assistants - and part-time employees also benefit from an employment level of at least 50 percent.
Until now, nurses had to work 15 heavy work shifts per month for at least ten years in order to be entitled to a heavy labour pension – a workload that was hardly achievable for many due to complex duty rosters.
In the future, 12 heavy work shifts per month will be sufficient to benefit from the regulation. In addition, the concept of heavy work is being expanded: In addition to physical stress, psychological and multiple stresses are now also taken into account – an important step forward for all those who work under great pressure in nursing every day.
Early retirement possible
According to a vida survey, around two-thirds of nursing staff who have already reached 45 years of insurance could retire before the age of 65 in the future. For many, this finally means a real chance of a well-deserved retirement before they reach their health limits.
Mjka and Gassner speak of an "important first step in the right direction" – especially in times when federal states such as Salzburg are causing outrage through austerity measures and wage theft of nursing staff.
vida examines details of the implementation of the law
To ensure that the recognition of care as hard work actually works in practice, vida calls for precise legal regulations.
"What is decisive is what is written in the law. When calculating the relevant insurance periods, for example, different types of training must be taken into account",
explains Sylvia Gassner.
The trade union vida will therefore closely examine the upcoming legal assessment documents to ensure that all nursing staff benefit fairly from the new regulations.
vida stays tuned
With the official recognition of the nursing professions as hard work, a significant success has been achieved - but vida is sticking to it: The goal is a comprehensive improvement in working conditions, relief and fair remuneration in all health and social professions.
