A machine operator from Liezen in Austria has won a major social security victory after a long legal struggle over years of hazardous night work. The worker has been awarded 14,000 euros in back payment and gained the right to draw special early retirement pension from the age of 57.
According to the Styrian Chamber of Labour, the man spent 27 years working in an industrial company, where he was regularly exposed to heavy noise and night shifts, according to 5 Minuten. However, his employer reportedly failed to register these night-heavy hazardous work periods and did not pay the required contributions.
At first, the claim was rejected. The initial official decision on the case was negative, leaving the worker without recognition for the strain he had endured. But the Chamber of Labour in Liezen continued to press the matter, insisting that the actual working conditions had not been properly assessed.
A technical expert was then brought in to examine the situation. The expert confirmed the extreme noise exposure in the workplace, which proved crucial for the case. Based on this finding, the Federal Administrative Court ruled in favour of the worker.
The outcome brought him two important results: the missing contributions were paid retroactively, and his entitlement to special early retirement was secured. The Chamber of Labour described the result as a clear success after refusing to accept the first refusal.
The case may also have wider consequences. According to the Chamber of Labour, other employees at the same company have also now benefited from retroactive payment of the night-shift hazardous work contributions. For them too, the ruling may improve access to social security rights linked to especially difficult working conditions.
