09.04.2021

Labour in Times of the Pandemic (and Beyond)

WIFO Economist Christine Mayrhuber at Discussion of AK Vienna, CEU and WWTF
In the context of the first cooperation event of the Chamber of Labour for Vienna (AK Vienna), the Central European University (CEU) and the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF), WIFO economist Christine Mayrhuber discussed the topic "Labour in Times of Pandemic (and Beyond)" with experts on 25 March 2021.

Mayrhuber emphasised the importance of simultaneously considering (paid) gainful employment and (predominantly unpaid) care work: "Lockdowns, which also affect care institutions, clearly show that paid work and care work are two sides of the same coin and must therefore always be addressed simultaneously. The way out of the crisis also needs a redistribution of both spheres of labour."

Silvia Hruska-Frank (AK Vienna) underlined the relevance of the new Home Office Act – also as a basis for the restructuring of paid work, which will increasingly take hybrid forms in the future. Monika Köppl-Turyna (EcoAustria) explained that long existing structural labour market problems became more visible in 2020. Professor Andrea Weber (CEU) highlighted the effectiveness of labour market policy instruments. The overarching patronage of the hybrid panel discussion was the strategic focus of the City of Vienna on "Digital Humanism". The event, moderated by Michael Stampfer (WWTF), was opened by CEU President and Rector Michael G. Ignatieff. Minister of Labour Martin Kocher sent a message of greeting.

A video recording of the event is available here.