Workplace Switzerland

A glimmer of hope for a lost generation

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 One of dozens of projects to receive a grant from the Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative (SSACI) is a pottery school in the township of Soweto. The one-year course – which is heavily oversubscribed – is open to unemployed and unskilled students looking to gain vocational training as ceramic artists. SSACI estimates that the unemployment rate…

Illegal “moonlighting” costs government billions

This content was published on Dec 21, 2002 Friedrich Schneider, an economics professor at the University of Linz in Austria, says moonlighting is now the fastest growing sector of Switzerland’s economy. Illegal workers in Switzerland earned more than SFr39 billion ($27 billion) in 2002, representing 9.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the study. Schneider estimates that there are around…

Unions merge to meet challenge of liberalisation

This content was published on Dec 14, 2002 Its boss says the new union – with 150,000 members – will be much better placed to defend workers’ interests in the face of ongoing liberalisation. Travail.Suisse formally came into being on Saturday from the merger of the Federation of Christian Unions and the Federation of Swiss Employees’ Associations. The new organisation says it will…

Builders down tools in biggest strike for 50 years

This content was published on Nov 4, 2002 Around 15,500 workers protested in favour of lowering the retirement age to 60. The employers described the strike as illegal. “This has exceeded our expectations,” said Vasco Pedrina, president of the construction workers’ union, who earlier told swissinfo that the strike was the biggest strike by construction workers since 1947. Participation in the one-day stoppage…

Builders’ dispute threatens 50 years of industrial peace

This content was published on Nov 1, 2002 The dispute comes at a time of simmering industrial unrest, with postal workers and public sector employees also at loggerheads with management. Over the weekend, employers will hold talks with construction unions in a bid to head off Monday’s strike, which is part of a campaign to lower the retirement age for builders. “This strike…

Swiss bosses bully their workers

This content was published on Oct 20, 2002 The research, carried out by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), showed that middle managers were the main perpetrators of bullying. Seco talked to 3,200 people by telephone for the study. Respondents were told they were taking part in a general survey about health and the workplace, and were only asked about bullying towards…

Switzerland opens its doors to EU workers

This content was published on Jun 2, 2002 But one group in particular will feel the immediate benefits of the new policy – cross-border commuters who work in Switzerland. Their permits will now be valid for five years instead of one, and they will only have to return home once a week rather than every day. For their part, the Swiss will be…

Unions seek mergers as membership drops

This content was published on May 1, 2002 In a week when Switzerland marked Labour Day, many of the country’s workers took note of the changing status of the unions, and the shift in their influence with regard to employers. Declining union membership, mainly the result of a shift from production work to service industries, has meant less income for the unions to…

Adapting social security to an ageing population

This content was published on Apr 15, 2002 Switzerland is at the forefront of European nations when it comes to guaranteeing a decent standard of living for old age pensioners. But the system risks becoming overburdened by the growing number of old people. The House of Representatives is this week holding a special session devoted largely to amending the occupational benefits plan. The…

Social insurance system debate to start

This content was published on Apr 15, 2002 Changes to the so-called “second pillar” of Switzerland’s pension system are designed to cope with increased life expectancy and the growing number of part-time workers. The Swiss second pillar scheme guarantees that individuals receive an annual income worth at least 60 percent of their final salary upon retirement. The scheme also forms the second of…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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A glimmer of hope for a lost generation

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Illegal “moonlighting” costs government billions

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Unions merge to meet challenge of liberalisation

More

Builders down tools in biggest strike for 50 years

More

Builders’ dispute threatens 50 years of industrial peace

More

Swiss bosses bully their workers

More

Switzerland opens its doors to EU workers

More

Unions seek mergers as membership drops

More

Adapting social security to an ageing population

More

Social insurance system debate to start

Popular Stories

Most Discussed