"trend": Harald Mahrer reduces economic chamber contributions

2023-09-07 17:44:15

The WKO boss combines lower chamber fees with the demand for fee reductions across the board.

Vienna (OTS) – WKO President Harald Mahrer announces a reduction in the Chamber of Commerce contributions in the business magazine “trend”: “Specifically, we will reduce the chamber levies by twelve percent as of January 1, 2024. This corresponds to around 35 million euros. A hefty chunk, but it’s possible.” Mahrer is reacting to the fact that the fees have risen sharply due to high inflation. However, the financial leeway was also created by “increasing efficiency”.

Mahrer connects the step taken by employers’ representatives with the demand for fee reductions in other areas as well. “If we can do it, every other public institution should be able to do it too. I also see our attitude as a signal that something like this should be possible throughout the country,” says Mahrer in “trend”.

The former ÖVP minister addresses the non-wage labor costs very directly:
“If these were to fall by a total of ten percent, for example, that would be 4.2 to 4.5 billion euros, with which companies could be relieved in the current difficult situation in the long term. Best combined with further reductions in taxes and fees, which the public authorities could decide on.” This can be compensated for on the expenditure side: “The question has to be asked: Does everything that is done have to be done? In a brutally competitive situation for companies, everyone has to do their homework.”