Workplace Switzerland

Pensioners turn out in force to defend benefits

This content was published on Sep 12, 2003 Organisers denounced what they called the “putsch” of the Swiss interior minister, Pascal Couchepin, “against the welfare state”. A former Swiss government minister, Ruth Dreifuss, joined around 600 protesters in Bern on Friday to demand that the current level of pension benefits be maintained. Their message was aimed both at Couchepin’s proposals to raise the…

Deiss says apprenticeship situation is “stable”

This content was published on Aug 25, 2003 With the season for handing out traineeships underway, the economics ministry counted around 5,000 open positions across the country – mainly in rural areas. On Monday Deiss announced that an extra SFr2.3 million ($1.6 million) would be pumped into a task force he had set up a few months ago to increase the number of…

Swiss urged to work longer

This content was published on Aug 4, 2003 The OECD says Switzerland and other countries should outlaw age discrimination and create favourable conditions for older workers. “If nothing is done quickly to extend working lives, living standards will fall in the course of the coming decades,” the report warns. It comes amid controversial proposals to raise the retirement age in Switzerland from 65…

Unemployed cast adrift by new law

This content was published on Jul 1, 2003 Under the changes, which were strongly opposed by unions, the period during which benefit can be claimed has been slashed by a quarter – from 520 days to 400. This means that payments will cease for more than 4,000 workers who have spent over 18 months on the dole. They will now have to fall…

Unions fear wage dumping with EU expansion

This content was published on May 13, 2003 They called on the government to ensure that working conditions would not deteriorate if an accord between Switzerland and Brussels on the free movement of people was applied to the new EU members. The Trade Union Federation warned that dumping could ensue when the ten new eastern European countries are admitted to the 15-nation bloc.…

Culture director escapes the sack

This content was published on May 13, 2003 Ritter, who has held the post for less than a year, has come under growing criticism for his management style. Only last week Pius Knüsel, the director of Pro Helvetia – which is responsible for the Swiss Cultural Centre in Paris – said he couldn’t continue working with Ritter. Knüsel’s comments came a day after…

Sars-affected firms to receive compensation

This content was published on May 8, 2003 Cantonal governments have been instructed to make up part of the wages lost by staff whose working hours have been reduced. Under the plan, firms will have to prove that the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) have led to a drop in orders and work. Sectors that are known to have been hit…

Asylum seekers get cash for community work

This content was published on Apr 9, 2003 Participants in the scheme will receive a small “motivational” payment, even though many are banned from working under Swiss law. Federal regulations prevent any asylum seeker in Switzerland from working during his or her first three months in the country. Cantonal regulations in Zurich currently extend that work ban by another three months. However, under…

Swiss men shun part-time option

This content was published on Mar 24, 2003 However, a government report released on Monday shows that while men may want to work less, few actually do. Speaking at the launch of a campaign to encourage more men into part-time jobs, Patricia Schulz, director of the Federal Office for Equal Opportunities, said many still worry about the cost to their careers of taking…

Youngsters face job struggle

This content was published on Mar 10, 2003 Education experts estimate that as many as 10,000 young job-seekers may be unable to find an apprenticeship this summer. Apprenticeships form the most traditional route into the Swiss workforce, and the anticipated shortfall looks set to bring more bad news to an already ailing domestic economy. General unemployment in Switzerland is already close to a…

Workplace Switzerland

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Workplace Switzerland

More

Pensioners turn out in force to defend benefits

More

Deiss says apprenticeship situation is “stable”

More

Swiss urged to work longer

More

Unemployed cast adrift by new law

More

Unions fear wage dumping with EU expansion

More

Culture director escapes the sack

More

Sars-affected firms to receive compensation

More

Asylum seekers get cash for community work

More

Swiss men shun part-time option

More

Youngsters face job struggle

Popular Stories

Most Discussed