NATIONAL LABOUR MARKET POLICIES
Basic Information Reports
2.3.2.Social partners and collective bargaining
The system of social partnership in Austria is characterised by a unique culture of discourse and negotiation; it is also marked by the willingness of the organisations concerned to push through compromises internally and externally and to represent diverse interests with a view to common medium-term goals for society. This necessitates a permanent basis for discussion and constant exchange of information.
The essential function of the social partners in Austria is to resolve economic and social problems by way of consensus. The overall consequence is that the Austrian economy has a real competitive advantage on world markets because social peace has been maintained. This also explains the absence in Austria of legislation relating to industrial disputes in the objective sense.
Social partnership in Austria is not restricted to the domain of social policy, but is characterised by responsibility at a more general level.
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