In Switzerland, many companies are understaffed and unable to fill certain positions, across almost all sectors. At a press event in Bern on Monday, the Swiss corporate lobby group economiesuisse and its partners warned about the consequences of the worsening skills shortages.
Demographic trends are the main concern among business circles, says economiesuisse. In the coming years, the retirement of so-called “baby boomers” – people born between 1946-1964 – will not be offset by younger workers, economiesuisse President Christoph Mäder told reporters.
The lobby group estimates a shortfall of 431,000 people on the Swiss labour market between now and 2040, the equivalent of 8% of the working population.
This represents a challenge not only for businesses, but also for the financing of Swiss pensions, Mäder said.
The free movement of persons model has “proved its worth” and should be maintained, say economiesuisse, the Swiss Employers’ Association and the Swiss Textiles association. But the organisations believe that immigration alone will not fill the growing gap in the labour market.
They propose efforts to increase Swiss productivity, which would in turn lead to higher wages. Switzerland must also invest more in research and innovation and regulate less, they argue.
More
Why Switzerland needs workers from abroad
Switzerland is an attractive place to work and the country needs specialists. But work permits can be hard to come by.
The economy also needs to make better use of people currently living in Switzerland. And efforts must be made to improve the family-work balance, and create further incentives to keep older workers in the labour market for longer, say business groups.
They also urge the federal government, cantons and state-run industries to curb recent strong employment growth in the numbers of civil servants and government officials, which they say is taking valuable skills away from private industry.
More
Debate
Hosted by:
Samuel Jaberg
How should we tackle the shortage of skilled workers in Switzerland?
Are you also affected in your company or your field of work? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
This content was published on
Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Could international graduates solve worker shortages in Switzerland?
This content was published on
Very few students from third countries stay on to work in Switzerland after their studies. Parliament wants this to change.
Employers’ group proposes measures to counter labour shortage
This content was published on
The Swiss Employers’ Association wants to lenghten working hours and introduce incentives to entice people into the labour market
This content was published on
With over 100,000 jobs listed as vacant in the first quarter of 2022, staff shortages are reaching record levels in Switzerland.
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.