NATIONAL LABOUR MARKET POLICIES
Basic Information Reports
1.3.2.3.AMS: Federal Office
The federal authority consists of the administrative council and the executive board - the latter being supported by its own federal office; it is charged with guaranteeing that uniform procedures are applied throughout Austria in all fundamental matters and is responsible for all affairs which extend beyond Land level.
In addition to exercising its coordination and control functions, the federal authority is also charged with creating the framework conditions required for decentral implementation of labour market policy and for organising research activities and training and further training of staff.
The administrative council is comprised of a maximum of 12 members; these are appointed by:
- the representative parties (three members from the employers' associations and trade unions, respectively);
- the Federal Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (three representatives, of whom one is recommended by the Federal Minister of Finance);
- the staff representative body of the AMS (with one member entitled to vote solely on issues concerning personnel and two other members fulfilling an advisory role).
Members are appointed for a period of six years. The administrative council elects the chairperson and two deputies from among its members for a period of two years; these three functions are divided between the trade unions, the employers' associations and the BMAGS.
As a rule, administrative council resolutions are passed by simple majority; important issues require a two-thirds majority plus one vote. The administrative council is responsible for establishing a monitoring committee and may set up committees to prepare material on complex topics.
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