Health workers demanding more money and more rights in front of parliament on Saturday
Keystone
Around 1,000 people from the health sector demonstrated for better working conditions in Bern on Saturday. The police kept 100 opponents of the government’s Covid-19 measures behind barriers on the edge of Parliament Square.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
The Covid sceptics had gathered outside parliament shortly after noon for an unauthorised rally. They tried to disrupt the event by setting off firecrackers and chanting slogans.
They ignored the obligation to wear masks, as well as the police request to make way for the authorised rally. They were eventually forced to the edge of the square by officers in combat gear.
Police keep an eye on Covid sceptics
Keystone
Saturday’s rally marked the end of a week of nationwide action by the “Health Alliance” of trade unions and professional associations. The health workers are demanding a wage increase and a coronavirus premium equivalent to one month’s salary, as well as more rights at work, more participation and better protection thanks to collective labour agreements.
For the event on Parliament Square the organisers had worked out a protection concept for 1,000 participants. The obligation to wear masks and social distancing were strictly observed.
Around the clock
Experts from various fields denounced the conditions in their industry.
“During the first Covid-19 wave in spring we were often on duty around the clock,” said care worker Silvia Dragoi. “In order to be able to provide good care, we regularly undertake further training.” She added that further support measures were needed from the government.
More
More
Swiss Politics
NGO demands health worker pandemic probe
This content was published on
The NGO, together with trade unions and a healthcare organisation, will send an open letter to the federal authorities in a few weeks once it has collected signatures from health workers. By July, some 230,000 health professionals had contracted Covid-19 worldwide, says Amnesty International. But figures for Switzerland are not available, it complains. “In Switzerland…
Laurentina Vais, a health expert, criticised the lack of recognition for people who give a lot physically and emotionally seven days a week. This leads to disappointment, professional withdrawal and exhaustion, she said.
Under constant time pressure it’s not possible to provide patients with the care they need, said nursing expert Liridona Dizdari-Berisha. Emotional exhaustion was one reason why almost half of nursing staff leave the profession during their working lives, she said.
“How about we clap for the military and put the CHF18 billion into healthcare,” was written on one placard.
More
More
Swiss Politics
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Swiss study examines why women and men choose different professions
This content was published on
According to a new study, the fact that there are still prevalently female and male professions is down to the nature of the job.
Swiss president unveils new theme park dedicated to Saint Bernards
This content was published on
The new Barryland theme park in Martigny, south-western Switzerland, was officially opened on Thursday in the presence of Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter.
Swiss court rejects diplomats’ daughter’s request for permanent residence
This content was published on
The 17-year-old daughter of a diplomatic couple working in Switzerland is not entitled to a residence permit, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled.
Swiss hospitals urge faster recognition of foreign medical qualifications
This content was published on
Foreign doctors wishing to work in a Swiss hospital have to wait several months for their diplomas to be recognised, a situation the hospital association H+ calls 'untenable'.
Switzerland to introduce code of conduct for collecting referendum signatures
This content was published on
Commercial collectors of signatures for initiatives and referendums could be given a legally non-binding code of conduct. This proposal comes from the Federal Chancellery following the discovery of thousands of falsified signatures.
Priest in Switzerland accused of sexually assaulting minors
This content was published on
The trial of a priest accused of sexually abusing nine people opened on Thursday in the Ticino cantonal criminal court in Lugano, southern Switzerland.
Two out of three people in Switzerland use more than one language daily
This content was published on
Two out of three people in Switzerland regularly use several languages in their everyday lives, most often the country's national languages.
Destroyed Swiss village of Blatten to be rebuilt within four years
This content was published on
After the devastating landslide, Blatten in Valais should be standing again by 2029. Municipal president Matthias Bellwald confirmed the corresponding plans to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Wednesday, which he had presented at a municipal meeting the previous evening.
Lufthansa mulls importing its future Boeing aircraft via Switzerland
This content was published on
Buying new Boeing aircraft from the United States via Switzerland could reduce the US trade deficit with Switzerland and avoid punitive customs duties, says a newspaper report.
Swiss environment minister ‘hopeful’ plastic pollution treaty within reach
This content was published on
Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti said he's "hopeful until the end" that an ambitious agreement against plastic pollution can be negotiated by the end of the year.
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.