Tens of thousands of people in Vienna on the streets against a 12-hour workday

In Vienna, between 80,000 and 100,000 people took to the streets to protest against the introduction of the 12-hour work day, a proposal for a decision by the ÖVP and FPÖ governing coalition

. unions. Union leader Wolfgang Katzian called on the government to refer the issue to the people in a referendum. Party leader Christian Kern of the Social Democratic opposition party SPÖ was also present at the demonstration, reports the Austrian Kurier newspaper

Easing

The conservative government led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) wants to release the law up to 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week. At the present time, a maximum of 10 hours per day applies. The bill will be discussed in Parliament next Thursday.

During the protests, several speakers discussed possible health risks and the loss of free time that will flow from the law. The president of the Austrian Workers' Organization suggested to shorten the number of hours of work.