Beč traži razmatranje zabrane pametnih naočara u uredu i školi

The Austrian government has entered active discussions regarding potential extensions to retail opening hours, a topic driven primarily by the liberal party Neos. Deregulation State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn stated on Tuesday that his office considers the issue to have the highest priority. He argued that current regulations are no longer appropriate for the twenty-first century and cited numerous submissions to his Service Center for De-bureaucratization and Deregulation Requests, known as SEDA, as evidence of public demand. Schellhorn emphasized that while he does not advocate for a blanket Sunday opening, specific sectors should gain flexibility. His proposal focuses on two main models: extending hours for owner-operated businesses where the proprietor works on-site, and expanding operating times for unmanned self-service stores and smart shops. According to reports, these proposals are already included in a preliminary draft law that Neos plans to send to federal government coordination this week. The measures align with positions held by the Association of Austrian Municipalities. The debate gained momentum after Neos economic spokesman Markus Hofer noted that a majority of Austrians wish for self-service stores to remain open in the evenings and on Sundays and holidays. Hofer highlighted that such stores can fill critical supply gaps in rural areas where traditional local providers have disappeared. However, the coalition partners hold diverging views on the extent of liberalization. The Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) issued a clear rejection of the idea. Barbara Teiber, an SPÖ member of parliament responsible for labor market issues and chair of the GPA union, cited an OGM survey indicating that the population rejects Sunday openings. Teiber stated that employees, small businesses, and the majority of consumers have consistently voted against longer trading hours. She argued that distributing shopping over more days does not generate additional purchasing power. Instead, she suggested that strengthening consumption requires fair collective bargaining agreements and wage increases, noting that if less money remains in workers' pockets at month's end, spending capacity decreases. Teiber criticized the persistent pressure from industry representatives, urging them to acknowledge the expressed wishes of consumers and employees. The People’s Party (ÖVP), the other major coalition partner, described itself as ready to discuss flexibilizing opening hours. However, the party imposed strict conditions, stating that any measures must align with the government program’s goals of creating jobs and strengthening the business location. The ÖVP explicitly ruled out a general Sunday opening, calling it unacceptable. Industry perspectives vary on the proposed changes. Marcel Haraszti, head of Rewe Austria, previously supported expanding weekend trading hours from seventy-two to seventy-eight hours. In contrast, Spar, another major retailer, indicated satisfaction with the current seventy-two-hour limit and existing special regulations. Schellhorn pointed to a study by KMU Research Austria, which found that approximately 423,000 people live in areas without a dedicated food provider nearby. He argued that retaining vibrant town centers with local suppliers is essential. The Constitutional Court decided at the end of 2023 that unmanned supplier containers must adhere to standard opening hour laws, though the current government program states that such entities should be exempted from the Opening Hours Act. Submissions to Schellhorn’s SEDA center range from requests for exceptions for self-service stores and small entrepreneurs to demands for total liberalization. Schellhorn noted that physical retail increasingly competes with online commerce, which operates around the clock, whereas brick-and-mortar stores face legal time restrictions. He viewed these limitations as outdated. In a separate but related regulatory discussion, the city of Vienna requested the federal government to examine a ban on smart glasses in public transport, government offices, and schools. This motion, introduced by the ruling SPÖ and Neos parties in the municipal council on Wednesday, aims to prevent covert recordings and protect privacy. The resolution calls for a clearly defined legal framework for camera-equipped devices in public spaces. It proposes that individuals filmed against their will should not need to prove a recording took place; instead, consent should be required before using such devices. The motion also urges Austria to advocate for effective and uniform privacy protection rules at the European Union level. Alexander Ackerl, an SPÖ city councilor, defended the initiative by comparing smart glasses to video surveillance. He questioned why society should accept a new form of potentially ubiquitous surveillance simply because cameras are worn on faces rather than mounted on walls. He warned that international technology companies providing the hardware and infrastructure lack democratic legitimacy to determine privacy standards. Ackerl highlighted security risks, particularly for women who could become subjects of hidden cameras. Stefan Gara, a Neos city councilor, focused on the impact on education. He argued that students and teachers should not fear being secretly filmed or recorded. Consequently, he recommended banning the use of smart glasses in schools. The Green Party in Vienna welcomed the move, reminding the public that SPÖ and Neos govern at the federal level as well. They noted that Neos Education Minister Christoph Wiederker could implement school-related measures immediately without delay.