Norwegian Parliamentary Delegation visits WIFO

The delegation was interested in the Austrian labour market and the changes brought about by EU accession in 1995 and the enlargements since then. Despite differences in macroeconomic key figures, such as the higher Norwegian GDP per capita, which is favoured by the raw materials sector, especially oil and gas, or the higher employment rate in Norway, the delegation showed great interest in the dynamics of the rising Austrian employment rate for women and the increase in employees without Austrian citizenship. There was particular interest in the financing of the Austrian health insurance system, which is financed by contributions from employees and their co-insured dependants, while the Norwegian system is a tax-financed universal system. With regard to the Norwegian pension system, the delegation emphasised the role of the occupational pillar, which is financed by corresponding contributions from Norwegian companies.

The constructive exchange on questions of an open and dynamic labour market and the social security of mobile workers led to valuable insights for the Norwegian delegation as well as for new research questions at WIFO.