The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Unions seek to blacklist Swiss firms that underpay women

women demonstrating
Still an issue in 2018: Women calling for equal pay on women's day in Geneva © KEYSTONE / MARTIAL TREZZINI

The workers’ union umbrella group Travail Suisse is calling for the introduction of a blacklist to shame Swiss companies that fail to pay women and men equally. 

This is one of 28 recommendations which feature in a position paper published by Travail Suisse External linkon Monday, on the eve of International Workers’ Day. 

In 2017, women in Switzerland earned on average CHF600 ($607) less per month than their male counterparts. 

According to Travail Suisse and its ten affiliated federations, men are also victims of discrimination. The majority of those who work full time would like to work part time, but only 17.5% are able to do so. The report also noted that there was no legal basis for paternity leave in Switzerland. 

+ Earlier this year, the Swiss Trade Federation also called for equal pay

Travail Suisse is also calling for better protection of people who care for adults and sick relatives. This unpaid work – done by women, mainly – punishes the carers, who end up with smaller pensions as a result of taking time off from their paid jobs. 

Demographic change and the shortage of qualified personnel will create a greater need for this unpaid care, notes Travail Suisse, which is calling on Swiss lawmakers to protect citizens. It would also like to see tax reform to eliminate discrimination related to marital status.

Popular Stories

News

Volunteering increases your own well-being according to survey

More

Volunteering found to increase well-being

This content was published on Volunteering can have a positive effect on mental health. According to a survey conducted in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, people who volunteer for others also strengthen themselves.

Read more: Volunteering found to increase well-being
Twint has more than six million users by the middle of the year

More

More than six million use Twint in Switzerland

This content was published on Twint is being used more and more frequently to make purchases at the till or transfer money to friends using a smartphone. By the middle of the year, the payment app already had more than six million users in Switzerland.

Read more: More than six million use Twint in Switzerland
Zelensky-Putin meeting: Macron pleads for Geneva

More

Zelensky-Putin meeting: Macron argues for Geneva

This content was published on The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin should take place in Europe, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. He is calling for it to be held in Geneva.

Read more: Zelensky-Putin meeting: Macron argues for Geneva
Glencore invests heavily in copper in Argentina

More

Glencore invests heavily in copper in Argentina

This content was published on Zug-based mining and commodities trading giant Glencore plans to inject more than a dozen billion dollars into the expansion of two Argentine copper production sites.

Read more: Glencore invests heavily in copper in Argentina
Industrial production down slightly in the second quarter

More

Workplace

Swiss industrial production slips in Q2 2025

This content was published on Production in Switzerland's secondary sector fell in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was more pronounced in the construction sector than for industry.

Read more: Swiss industrial production slips in Q2 2025
Swiss grenadier recruits take part in an urban warfare exercise in Isone, canton Ticino, in 2013.

More

Swiss Politics

Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise

This content was published on Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.

Read more: Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
Swiss brands seek a response to customs duties

More

Workplace

Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff

This content was published on Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.

Read more: Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR