Hofrat Dr. Josef Resch

Josef Resch is the son of a master glazier in Vienna and initially learns his father's trade before attending Hollabrunn grammar school. From 1901 to 1905, he studied law at the University of Vienna, where he was awarded his doctorate in 1907. During his studies, he attended courses on insurance technology, social hygiene, accident prevention and accident medicine. In 1904, he joined the Workers' Compensation Insurance Institute in Vienna, where he became Deputy Director in 1923 and Director in 1933. In 1934 he was appointed extraordinary government commissioner of all Austrian accident insurance institutions and in 1935 President of the Reich Association of Social Insurance Institutions and General Councillor of the Austrian National Bank. He also became President of the War Damage Fund in 1923.

During the First Republic, Josef Resch was also involved in politics: he was a member of the Constituent National Assembly from 1919-1920, a member of the National Council from 1920-1923, Vice President of the Council of State from 1934-1936 and a member of the Federal Council. In 1918-1920 he served as Undersecretary of State in the State Office for Social Welfare and Social Administration, and in 1920-1921, 1924-1929 and 1930-1933 as Federal Minister for Social Administration. In view of constitutional developments, Federal Minister Josef Resch resigned on 11 March 1933. In May 1936, he rejoined the Schuschnigg II government as Federal Minister for Social Administration and remained in this position until the Anschluss.

He fell ill with bowel cancer at the beginning of February 1938. His stay in hospital saved him from arrest. In April 1938, his teaching license was declared suspended and his request to retire on 1 May was initially granted. He was subsequently dismissed without notice in July 1938 due to his political functions in the Ständestaat and his pension was cut in half.