French rule

In the context of the revolution of 1848

The period around 1809 was devastating for the salt industry. The income from the sale of salt went to the occupying power, which meant that the salt office was unable to pay the wages of the salt workers or procure food.

In the summer of 1809, the Hallstatt workers waited seven weeks for their wages and protested in front of the office building in Lahn, threatening to pay themselves with the salt from the warehouses.

The winter of 1847 brought renewed hardship for the workers, who sold their livestock, fell into debt and no longer received flour in advance from the millers. The hardship led to acts of violence by Ischl workers against bakers and millers in 1848 in order to enforce lower flour and semolina prices.

In the 19th century, salt workers in the Salzkammergut received a limited supply of lard and grain at reduced prices, while their basic wages were always lower than those of skilled factory workers. This system of secure poverty continued, as a job as a miner or salt worker offered secure employment in times of crisis, but brought lower wages.

In 1873, food rations were discontinued and wages were increased. Deputation salt and subsidised firewood were retained as benefits in kind, and consumer associations for miners and smelters were founded to improve the food situation.

The housing situation for salt workers remained precarious until the 20th century, with several family members living in cramped, damp rooms. It was not until the end of the 19th century that smaller flats were built for the salt workers, which brought a considerable improvement. These flats consisted of a kitchen, a heated room and an unheated cabinet, and the rent was only 10% of the wage.