Workplace deal to cover 300,000 temp workers

Switzerland’s 300,000 temporary workers will benefit from a collective bargaining agreement that will come into force on January 1, 2012.

The accord is the first of its kind signed for temporary workers and will set in stone a minimum wage, a 42-hour-week and five weeks of holidays for workers under the age of 50.

Renzo Ambrosetti, co-president of Unia, Switzerland’s largest trade union, said the agreement would also help to stamp out wage dumping and other problems not covered by the accompanying measures associated with free movement of people accord between Switzerland and the European Union.

Business groups also welcomed the agreement. Charles Bélaz, president of swissstaffing, said the deal would create clear and simple conditions for the market.

The new agreement will cover temporary employment companies with an annual payroll of SFr1.2 million ($1.29 million).