Österreichisches Bundesgesetzblatt · 20 Aug 2026 · 6 vistas
Austria sets homework wage tariff for toy manufacturing
Por FactBox Admin
The Bundeseinigungsamt (Federal Conciliation Office) at the Federal Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has issued a new homework tariff (Heimarbeitstarif) for the manufacture or processing of toys of all kinds by homeworkers. The regulation, published as 252. Verordnung in Part II of the Österreichisches Bundesgesetzblatt of 20 August 2026, sets the piece-rate wages for homeworkers and adds a separate 10% homework surcharge, with effect from 1 June 2026.
The tariff was adopted by decision of 19 August 2026 following a senate hearing, under the authority of § 34(1) of the Heimarbeitsgesetz 1960 (BGBl. Nr. 105/1961), as amended. The Federal Conciliation Office is empowered to issue such tariffs on application by a collective-bargaining-capable body representing workers.
Scope of the tariff
The tariff applies across the whole of Austria and covers the manufacture or processing of toys of all kinds, insofar as that activity does not fall within another production branch and is not already governed by an existing homework collective agreement or tariff. It binds all principals who employ homeworkers for these tasks.
- Territorial scope: the entire federal territory of Austria.
- Professional scope: manufacture or processing of toys of all kinds not covered by another tariff.
- Personal scope: all principals employing homeworkers for the listed work.
Wages and surcharge
Under the new rules, the piece-rate wages of those employed in homework are to be calculated on the basis of an hourly wage. On top of the piece rates so calculated, homeworkers receive a separately itemised homework surcharge of 10%.
Entry into force
The tariff takes effect on 1 June 2026. The regulation was signed by Lukowitsch on behalf of the issuing authority.
The new tariff gives homeworkers in the toy sector a clear, binding wage floor and a guaranteed surcharge, providing legal certainty for both workers and the principals who commission the work across Austria.
Source: Österreichisches Bundesgesetzblatt, Part II, No. 252, 20 August 2026 (official reference: BGBLA_2026_II_252).