Craft-article home-work pay scale repealed effective 31 May 2026
Austria's Federal Conciliation Office has repealed the pay tariff for home workers (Heimarbeiter) producing handcrafted items. The tariff, which set minimum hourly wages of €11.53 (qualified) and €9.87 (unqualified) plus a 10% home-work supplement and statutory bonuses, was in force from 1 May 2025 and is now repealed as of 31 May 2026.
What changed
The entire pay tariff regulation for home workers engaged in qualified and unqualified manufacture or processing of craft articles has been formally repealed by Federal Law Gazette (Bundesblatt) II No. 255/2026, effective 31 May 2026. The regulation had previously been published in BGBl. II No. 151/2025 and took effect on 1 May 2025.
Who is affected
Home workers (Heimarbeiter/Heimarbeiterinnen) producing handcrafted items and their employers (contractors) are affected. This includes both qualified workers (earning €11.53 per hour) and unqualified workers (earning €9.87 per hour) who were previously entitled to these minimum wages under the tariff.
What to look out for
Employers and home workers should verify whether a replacement tariff has been issued or whether home-work compensation now falls under general labour agreements or statutory minimum wage rules. The repeal takes effect on 31 May 2026, so existing arrangements under this tariff remain valid until that date.