Inclusion Conference 2025: On the Right to Work and Appreciation

More than 270 participants responded to the call of the trade union vida, PRO-GE, AK Vienna, ÖGB, KOBV and ÖZIV Bundesverband and took part in this year's inclusion conference under the motto "I wü a hackeln!". The aim of the event in the Vienna Trade Union House was to sharpen the view of disability, illness, crises and their often overlooked effects on professional life - and to show solutions. The ceremonial opening already showed how broad the solidarity for inclusion is. Franz Groschan of the KOBV emphasised: "Equal opportunities for work are the basis for real participation. It is time to break down barriers to thinking and acting – for an inclusive labour market."

When work becomes a question of justice

The exchange of content in panels, workshops and best-practice presentations focused on innovative working models as well as dealing with cancer at work, death and grief in the world of work or the question of how people with disabilities are perceived in society and the media. It also became clear that the creation of an inclusive labour market is not a niche issue, but a question of social justice.

"On the one hand, employers are crying out for workers. On the other hand, there are people who would have so much potential and don't get the chance to use it in their professional lives," Helmut Gruber, deputy chairman of the Board of Directors, said. President of AK Vienna, to the point. "Companies must also assume their social responsibility and actively integrate people with illnesses and disabilities."

Helene Schuberth, Federal Managing Director of the ÖGB, also found clear words: "Less than a quarter of the obligated companies employ people with disabilities - the majority evade their duty and prefer to pay a compensatory tax. This clearly shows that more awareness and real measures for inclusion in the labour market are finally needed."

More inclusion – better for everyone

vida Federal Managing Director Bernd Brandstetter made it clear that it is not only about legal obligations, but about human interaction: "Illnesses and crises are part of life. In addition, people with disabilities are a valuable part of our society and our working world. Actually, this should be a matter of course. As a trade union, we are there for you, as well as for all other employees in the vida industries."

Elfriede Schober, Deputy Federal Chairwoman of PRO-GE, underlined the skills that each individual person can bring to the job to the table: "Companies should also focus on their potential and not on their deficits when it comes to people with disabilities." In addition, she demanded: "We need more representatives for the disabled in the companies. They are a key to effective representation of interests and an enrichment for every company."

Valerie Clarke, Vice President of the ÖZIV, emphasized the constructive cooperation of the organizers: "The Inclusion Conference is a fixed point in our annual calendar and we are very proud to be able to contribute the expertise of the ÖZIV Federal Association on current developments regarding the creation of an inclusive labor market as a co-organizer."

A day full of input, exchange and perspectives

The varied program started with an emotional dance performance by Jugend am Werk, before representatives of all co-organizers opened the conference in short statements. In her keynote speech, university professor Birgit Schrattbauer (University of Salzburg) spoke about the legal framework of an inclusive labour market and current challenges in labour law. In the first panel, representatives from AK Vienna, KOBV, ÖZIV, SMS, Deutsche Bahn and Jugend am Werk discussed innovative working models for people with disabilities.

Alexander Greiner, author of the book "When I Kicked Death in the Eggs" spoke about living and working after a cancer diagnosis. This discussion led into a panel on the world of work in cancer, in which the Austrian Cancer Aid, the Medical Association, the AK Vienna, the ÖGK and the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) were involved, among others.

In the afternoon, two workshops deepened central topics of the conference: One was dedicated to the question of how to deal with crises, death and grief as well as loneliness in working life. The second workshop shed light on the self-image and external image of people with disabilities in society and the media - with the participation of representatives of the KOBV, civil society and science.

Inclusion makes sense

The conference was accompanied by 25 information booths, numerous networking opportunities and a clear message: Inclusion is not only feasible – it is necessary. The event made it clear that a labour market for all not only creates more justice, but also makes economic and social sense.