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League table fails to impress teachers

This content was published on May 3, 2005 Rankings based on the performance of schoolchildren in 12 cantons and Liechtenstein were published for the first time on Monday. Top of the charts in mathematics, science and problem-solving was canton Fribourg. However, in reading – the fourth discipline tested – it came third after Liechtenstein and Thurgau. The report, which was compiled by the…

Kuoni withdraws from German travel market

This content was published on May 2, 2005 Kuoni said on Monday that the loss-making concern was being sold to Otto Freizeit und Tourisktik (OFT) for an undisclosed sum, adding that there would be no job losses. “Kuoni Travel Holding is convinced that OFT is ideally equipped to provide its former German subsidiary with the strategic investment required,” said Kuoni in a statement.…

Fribourg students come top of the class

This content was published on May 2, 2005 French-speaking pupils from Fribourg have done best, but Swiss teachers have sharply criticised the rankings. The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) – run by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development – measures the skills of 15-year-olds in four categories: maths, reading, science and problem-solving. Twelve cantons – as well as the neighbouring…

Workers protest over social cuts

This content was published on May 1, 2005 Despite minor skirmishes in Zurich and Lucerne, the May 1 marches passed off peacefully. More than 6,000 people took part in trade union-led demonstrations in Basel, Bern and Zurich on Saturday and Sunday. Around the same number are estimated to have joined rallies in northern and western Switzerland, including 1,500 demonstrators in Geneva. Many speakers…

May 1 offers brief respite for unions

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, Unia’s Vasco Pedrina says the widening wage gap between managers and workers is aggravating tensions between employers and trade unions. Unia was founded last October from the merger of four trade unions, and has 200,000 members, working in several industries. It represents the interests of one million workers and is…

Swiss invite “Dirty Dozen” to Geneva

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 The parties to the convention, which regulates the use and production of chemicals known as the “Dirty Dozen”, will decide this week in Uruguay on a new home for the treaty. On Monday more than 600 delegates from 130 countries are set to convene in the city of Punta del Este to discuss implementation of…

Employers see May 1 as “social barometer”

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, Peter Hasler, the director of the Swiss Employers’ Association, gives his take on relations between employers and employees. The country has long enjoyed a reputation for high wages combined with an unusually strike-free environment. However, there are signs that the climate is changing. Last year saw the merger of four…

Nestlé head re-elected to Credit Suisse board

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 Brabeck received 91 per cent of the votes at Credit Suisse’s annual general meeting (AGM), even though it was argued that he already had too many mandates to do a proper job at the bank. However, Credit Suisse board chairman Walter Kielholz confirmed at the AGM that Brabeck would relinquish his role as vice-chairman, in…

Experts optimistic about economic growth

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 But the economics ministry warned that the global economic situation had showed signs of deteriorating in recent months. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said on Friday that it stood by its earlier forecasts of 1.5 per cent growth this year and 1.8 per cent for 2006. Seco said early indicators showed that growth…

Business urged to help resolve conflicts

This content was published on Apr 29, 2005 Enabling Economies of Peace sets out directives to encourage the rebuilding of economies in conflict countries and to prevent the exploitation of natural resources such as oil and gas. The report, co-financed by Switzerland, was unveiled at a meeting at the UN’s headquarters in New York on Thursday. It forms part of the UN Global…

Internal: Archive

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