Easter Friday, or Good Friday as commonly known, is not a recognized day off in the country.
In a recent development, the Austrian traffic light coalition government, comprising the Social Democrats, Greens, and NEOS, has faced criticism from unions for not reinstating Good Friday as a legal holiday. The controversy stems from the abolition of Good Friday as a legal holiday in 2019, a decision that was not made by the current government but rather a court ruling.
Previously, Good Friday was a legal holiday for Protestant believers in Austria. However, the abolition of the holiday was due to a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling, which challenged the holiday's legal status due to unequal treatment. The Kurz-Strache government, in response to the ECJ ruling, did not extend the holiday to all employees but instead abolished it completely.
Martin Müller, an ÖGB labor law expert, stated that the removal results in no holiday for workers but a vacation day taken. Employees can claim a "personal holiday" on Good Friday, but they must take a vacation day for it. The term "personal holiday" is used as a loophole in the current regulation, allowing employees to take a day off on Good Friday, but it is not officially recognized as a holiday.
Claudia Plakolm, the Culture Minister, stated that there is no measure for changing Good Friday's status in the current government program. She also emphasized that the abolition of Good Friday as a legal holiday was due to a highest court ruling. Plakolm previously rushed ahead with the topic of Good Friday, but no change has been made yet.
Korinna Schumann, as a unionist, feels bound by the government program and there is no provision for a legal holiday on Good Friday. The current traffic light government is not considering a change to the Good Friday regulation.
The ÖGB finds the removal of Good Friday as a legal holiday by the previous government annoying. The abolition of the holiday was done under pressure from the economy, which might have played a role in the current government's decision not to reinstitute it.
The regulation of Good Friday is controversial due to its perceived whitewash nature. Despite the criticism, the current traffic light government maintains a focus on balancing religious neutrality, economic considerations, and broader labor market reforms. However, without direct statements from the government or explicit citations, these are informed inferences rather than official explanations.
For those seeking a precise government statement or detailed rationale, it is recommended to check recent Austrian government releases or union communications, as the provided search results do not contain this specific information.
Economic and social policy discussions arise as the Austrian traffic light coalition government faces criticism for not reinstating Good Friday as a legal holiday. This controversy stems from the government's stance on a pressing policy-and-legislation issue that touches upon general news, such as the abolition of Good Friday in 2019, a court-ruled decision guided by religious neutrality and economic considerations.
