Representation of interests

In Austria, workers' interests are represented by:

• the Chamber of Labour (compulsory membership by law);
• the Austrian Trade Union Federation (voluntary membership);
• their works council (within the company itself).

The interests of businesses and professionals are represented by:

• the chambers of commerce and other chambers (compulsory membership by law);
• associations and organisations, e.g. the Federation of Austrian Industries (voluntary membership).

The Austrian Social Partnership is a voluntary cooperation initiative between the main employers' and employees' associations and between these associations and the federal government. It comprises four associations at national level:

• the Austrian Trade Union Federation (→ ÖGB)^{German text}
• the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (→ BAK)^{German text}
• the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (→ WKO)
• the Austrian Federal Chamber of Agriculture (→ LKÖ)^{German text}

The represenations negotiate collective agreements and work agreements.