The “dual model” will be extended gradually across the country – with the exception of Geneva – from October, Uber’s Swiss director Jean-Pascal Aribot toldExternal link the Tribune de Genève newspaper on Saturday.
Aribot said such a system has already been tested in Lausanne (canton Vaud) since the start of 2022. It allows drivers to either remain independent, using Uber as a portal to connect with their clients, or become employees of a third-party company, which then also takes care of processing wages and social insurance payments.
More
More
Top Swiss court confirms Uber status as an employer
This content was published on
The Federal Court has upheld a ruling that the US ride-hailing firm should be treated as an employer.
According to Aribot, in the case of Lausanne, around 80% of drivers opted to remain self-employed after being offered the choice.
Across Switzerland, he said, some 3,000 drivers use Uber, most of them in the urban areas of Basel and Zurich. He also said the dual model would have to be adapted to the different regulations governing taxis in each canton. Bern, for example, does not allow non-professional drivers to pick up passengers, the Tribune de Genève writes.
Geneva sticking point
Geneva will however remain an exception to this, after a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in June upheld the canton’s decision to define Uber drivers as employees. Complicated (and so far unsuccessful) negotiations about salary arrears and social insurance payments are ongoing with unions. Talks face a deadline of October 15.
Aribot said the Federal Court ruling has “no impact” on Uber’s activities in other Swiss cantons.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Heat warning issued in western and southern Switzerland
This content was published on
With the coming days set to be hot, authorities have declared a danger level of 3 out of 5 for certain parts of the country.
Switzerland concerned by fresh Israeli plans for Gaza
This content was published on
The foreign ministry has said it is “deeply concerned” about Israel’s plans to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Satellite images detect signs of Blatten landslide in 2016
This content was published on
Warning signs of the landslide that wiped out the village in May were visible from space years before, the ESA has found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Zurich court rules Uber drivers are not ‘independent workers’
This content was published on
The rulingExternal link by the Zurich social insurance court, published on Thursday, says that the “marked subordination” in the relation between Uber and its drivers means that it is one of dependence between an employer and an employee. As such, Uber must pay social contributions for drivers, the court said: in this case – brought…
This content was published on
Trade union groups in Geneva have criticised the American Uber mobility service provider of dodging a top Swiss court ruling.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.