Higher rates of minimum remuneration for drivers carrying goods in Austria are effective from January 1, 2019.
The Austrian minimum wage law (Lohn- und Sozialdumping-Bekämpfungsgesetz: LSD-BG) includes, in addition to transit, all transport operations carried out in that country. Foreign carriers are required to report the posting of drivers to Austrian territory and pay them the statutory minimum for work done in that country.
At the beginning of this year, the minimum wage rates increased. For example, the driver of a light vehicle up to 3.5 t with a maximum of five years of experience will earn 8.98 euros per hour instead of 8.72 euros. His monthly salary increased from about 1508 euros to approx. 1553.5 euros. In turn, the truck driver’s hour rate (over 3 axles) with over 20 years of experience increased from 10.00 to 10.30 euros, raising the monthly salary by more than 50 euros (up to 1781,90 euros).
Pursuant to the provisions of the said Act, the posting of an employee of the transport industry must be declared prior to his entry to Austria via the ZKO3 electronic form issued by the Austrian Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen).
Current minimum wage rates in Austria from 1 January 2019
| Work experience in a given company | 1. Physical workers and drivers of vehicles with GVW up to 3.5 tonnes | 2. Drivers of vehicles with a GVW above 3.5 tonnes. The vehicle has up to 3 axles | 3. Drivers of vehicles with a dmc area 3.5 tons. The vehicle has more than 3 axles | 4. Drivers of road trains, articulated vehicles and self-propelled cranes | 5a. Drivers who have licenses to carry dangerous goods and lift drivers with a lifting capacity of 10 tonnes | 5b. Persons with special rights under the collective agreement |
| Below 5 years | 8.98 | 9.19 | 9.32 | 9.42 | 9.65 | 9.65 |
| From 5 to 10 years | 9.19 | 9.42 | 9.53 | 9.65 | 9.94 | 9.94 |
| From 10 to 15 years | 9.42 | 9.65 | 9.80 | 9.94 | 10.17 | 10.17 |
| From 15 to 20 years | 9.65 | 9.94 | 10.07 | 10.17 | 10.40 | 10.40 |
| Above 20 years | 9.89 | 10.17 | 10.30 | 10.40 | 10.63 | 10.63 |
| Work experience in a given company | 6.a Professional drivers with work experience who passed a vocational exam. Vehicle with GVW up to 3.5 tonnes, up to 3 axles | 6.b Professional drivers who have work experience and who have passed the professional exam. Vehicle with GVW up to 3.5 tonnes, up to 3 axles | 6.c Professional drivers who have work experience and who have passed the professional exam. Drivers of road trains and articulated vehicles | 7 Drivers of vehicles delivering fuel and gas to the service station |
| Below 5 years | 9.42 | 9.70 | 9.94 | 10.17 |
| From 5 to 10 years | 9.65 | 9.89 | 10.17 | 10.40 |
| From 10 to 15 years | 9.94 | 10.17 | 10.40 | 10.65 |
| From 15 to 20 years | 10.17 | 10.42 | 10.65 | 10.89 |
| Above 20 years | 10.40 | 10.63 | 10.89 | 11.10 |
Photo: Flickr.com