Workplace Switzerland

Labour market digests bilateral changes

This content was published on Jun 28, 2005 An analysis of the accord from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) says that the introduction of the accord in 2002 has gone smoothly. The report, published on Tuesday by the Seco and the Federal offices for migration and statistics, outlines the effects for Switzerland of the June 2002 accord between Bern and the…

Unions launch flexible retirement initiative

This content was published on Jun 21, 2005 The text of the initiative was published on Tuesday. The federation now has until December 2006 to gather the 100,000 signatures needed. The retirement age for men currently stands at 65, with women entitled to draw an old-age pension from 64. The government is concerned that the state old-age pension scheme will eventually collapse as…

Employers demand free movement of labour

This content was published on Jun 17, 2005 The association’s president, Rudolf Stämpfli, said on Friday that voters should realise that the extension of an accord with the EU would have beneficial effects for the Swiss economy. Speaking on Employers’ Day in Bern, Stämpfli added that voting “no” could lead to the collapse of all the bilateral accords negotiated with the EU in…

Unions back extension of EU labour accord

This content was published on Jun 13, 2005 Monday’s announcement comes after a weekend poll showing that only a third of Swiss support the move, which goes to a nationwide vote in September. Launching their campaign ahead of the vote, union leaders said that Swiss workers stood to benefit from the labour accord. “There is a real threat of wage dumping and pressure…

Swiss like work but not their salaries

This content was published on Jun 7, 2005 A report by global staffing services company Kelly Services found that 53 per cent of Swiss are pleased with their jobs. But 52 per cent feel they are not being paid enough. The survey of 12 countries places Switzerland, along with neighbouring Italy, in third place. In front are the Scandinavian nations (68 per cent)…

Young people face unwelcoming job market

This content was published on May 31, 2005 The business graduate spoke to swissinfo as a one-day symposium was held in Bern to discuss youth joblessness. Clerc has everything necessary for success: a diploma, good professional training and a “neat appearance” – as required by the classified adverts. But there have only been four such adverts since she started looking for work. “So…

Couchepin chooses slow road to pension reform

This content was published on May 24, 2005 A meeting called this week to discuss how to shore up the scheme was more notable for the lack of participants – two major political parties boycotted the event – than for its achievements. Couchepin made it clear that the two-day event, which wrapped up on Tuesday, was never intended to be a decisive moment…

Unions set sights on flexible retirement age

This content was published on May 9, 2005 On Monday they accused the government and parliament of failing to resolve a long-standing political issue. Delegates of the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions have now launched a people’s initiative aimed at introducing a flexible retirement age. Under the proposal, employees can choose to stop working at the age of 62 and receive a full…

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…

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…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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Labour market digests bilateral changes

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Unions launch flexible retirement initiative

More

Employers demand free movement of labour

More

Unions back extension of EU labour accord

More

Swiss like work but not their salaries

More

Young people face unwelcoming job market

More

Couchepin chooses slow road to pension reform

More

Unions set sights on flexible retirement age

More

May 1 offers brief respite for unions

More

Employers see May 1 as “social barometer”

Popular Stories

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