Workplace Switzerland

Unions attack firm’s strong franc tactics

This content was published on Jul 1, 2011 The working week for the 2,500 staff at its Visp plant will be increased from 41 to 43 hours for 18 months. Production costs at the site in canton Valais are accounted for in francs while sales are tallied in euros or dollars, which under the rising Swiss currency has resulted in significant losses, Lonza…

One in three work injuries involves a foreigner

This content was published on Jun 30, 2011 The number of non-professional accidents remained stable at 497,000, down 0.3 per cent on 2009. Switzerland’s 35 accident insurers said Germans were the foreigners involved in the most accidents – 36,000 – ahead of Italians. For Germans, Italians and French living in Switzerland, 40 per cent of accidents occurred on the job. The figure for…

Employers face first-ever apprentice shortage

This content was published on Jun 22, 2011 The surplus is mainly seen in German-speaking Switzerland. Low-scoring students continue to find it hard to find a position but it’s still a major turnaround. A decade ago there was a shortage of apprenticeship places in Switzerland. “The situation has clearly eased,” Bern’s director of education Bernhard Pulver told a media briefing on the apprentice…

Life in the Alps

This content was published on Jun 22, 2011 The book “Hirtenstock und Käsebrecher” (Shepherd’s Crook and Cheese Stirrer) portrays the diverse characters of the people who undertake the backbreaking summer work on top of the Alps. (Photos: Giorgio Hösli/Paul Hugentobler)

Unemployment continues downward trend

This content was published on Jun 8, 2011 In April the figure was 3.1 per cent, said the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), in a statement issued on Wednesday. Unemployment among young people – aged between 15 and 24 – dropped by 11.5 per cent from April, to 14,801. Compared with May 2010 it was down by 34.3 per cent. French and…

Activists push for self-funded paternity leave

This content was published on Jun 5, 2011 Switzerland has yet to offer any statutory paid father’s leave, despite ten attempts in parliament in as many years. One proposal after another has failed as parliamentarians baulk at the prospect of adding another charge to the public purse. In the most insured nation on earth, the new proposal to insure for fatherhood has appealed…

Immigration debate focuses on job market

This content was published on May 30, 2011 While some politicians are calling for it to be thrown out so the country can regain its freedom of manoeuvre, unions are demanding better wage protection and warning there will not be enough staff in some sectors in the years to come. Since the free movement accord became effective in 2002, the equivalent of more…

Unions call for end to salary inequalities

This content was published on May 27, 2011 The Swiss Trade Union Federation called on companies to respect the law in a statement on Friday. In the machine industry women earn 14.2 per cent less than men, 11 per cent less in retail, 12.8 per cent in banks and 8.7 per cent in insurance, according to the Federation. If salaries are not adjusted,…

Free movement continues to benefit economy

This content was published on May 26, 2011 In a new evaluation of the agreement with the European Union to open labour markets, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said the negative effects of immigration on local workers were “very limited”. The agreement on the free movement of people between Switzerland and the EU entered into force on June 1, 2002. Initially…

Switzerland faces massive skills shortage

This content was published on May 24, 2011 According to Travail Suisse, the Swiss quality of life is threatened by future staff shortages in key areas such as health, care of the elderly, education, policing and transport. The study comes as the rightwing Swiss People’s Party announced it would launch an anti-immigration campaign this election year. Party leaders on Monday said they wanted…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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Unions attack firm’s strong franc tactics

More

One in three work injuries involves a foreigner

More

Employers face first-ever apprentice shortage

More

Life in the Alps

More

Unemployment continues downward trend

More

Activists push for self-funded paternity leave

More

Immigration debate focuses on job market

More

Unions call for end to salary inequalities

More

Free movement continues to benefit economy

More

Switzerland faces massive skills shortage

Popular Stories

Most Discussed