Workplace Switzerland

Lego faces uphill battle to build new markets

This content was published on Dec 19, 2000 Unlike many toy companies, which outsource production to the developing world, where labour is cheap, Lego’s European production headquarters are in one of the most expensive locations in Europe – Baar in canton Zug. Although based in the Danish town of Billund, Lego chose to locate its factory in Baar both because the canton has…

Sulzer takes steps to protect employees after sell off

This content was published on Dec 13, 2000 Some 4,200 employees in Switzerland are likely to be affected by Sulzer’s decision in September to sell off five of its divisions so it can concentrate on medical devices, and surface and materials technology. A statement on Wednesday from Sulzer headquarters in Winterthur said the declaration had been signed by the management, the umbrella organisation…

Unemployment stable at low level

This content was published on Dec 8, 2000 The largest increase in the number of jobless was in canton Ticino (up 0.6 per cent). The ministry said this was clearly related to the fact that November is traditionally a bad month for tourism in the Italian-speaking region. Canton Valais also saw an above-average increase (up 0.3 per cent). The authorities said that although…

Divisions in Switzerland show up in pension age vote

This content was published on Nov 26, 2000 According to a forecast, published by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation two hours after polls closed, one initiative was rejected by 64 per cent of voters, the other by 56 per cent. However, according to the same forecasts, voters in French-speaking western Switzerland and the southern, Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, approved the intiatives. Federal votes often…

Pay protests in Berne

This content was published on Nov 4, 2000 Saturday’s protest in front of the parliament building was called to demand higher salaries, and to push for full pensions to be available from the age of 62. Turnout was higher than expected, with organisers having estimated that around 15,000 people would participate in the event. Paul Rechsteiner, one of the organisers, said the high…

Plans for a flexible retirement age, but at what cost?

This content was published on Nov 3, 2000 Supporters want to give people the option of retiring at 62 without losing their right to a full pension. Men in Switzerland are currently eligible for a pension at 65, while the retirement age for women is slightly lower. The groups behind the two people’s initiatives are the Green Party and the associations of office…

Dreifuss urges equal pay for women

This content was published on Oct 27, 2000 Addressing the construction and industry union congress in Lucerne on Friday, Dreifuss said they should not give up, despite a recent ruling by the Federal Court rejecting a claim for pay equality. “This unacceptable decision by the Federal Court must not discourage us,” Dreifuss told the congress. The minister praised union efforts to raise salary…

Booklet informs domestic workers of their rights

This content was published on Oct 26, 2000 The booklet – “Know Your Rights – A Legal Guide for Household Employees in Switzerland”, is the work of Jean-Pierre Garbade, a human rights lawyer who has handled many industrial tribunals involving Filipino domestic workers. “We want to show that these people have rights, that they aren’t slaves,” Garbade told swissinfo. “We not only want…

Union calls for more protection for construction workers

This content was published on Aug 28, 2000 At a news conference in Berne, the union presented research from the Geneva cantonal office of inspection and work relations showing that only one in 10 architects and engineers became invalids before retirement age. The union said the results of the study and of its own research were “shocking” and called for a “global social…

Ten thousandth fairplay ball sold in Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 18, 2000 Footballs, handballs and volleyballs made in child labour-free workshops in Pakistan are sold in fair trade shops and the outlets of the charity, Helvetas. Pakistan became the focus of efforts to stamp out child labour after estimates publicised in 1996 put the number of children in the ball-making business in the country at about 7,000.…

Workplace Switzerland

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Workplace Switzerland

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Lego faces uphill battle to build new markets

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Sulzer takes steps to protect employees after sell off

More

Unemployment stable at low level

More

Divisions in Switzerland show up in pension age vote

More

Pay protests in Berne

More

Plans for a flexible retirement age, but at what cost?

More

Dreifuss urges equal pay for women

More

Booklet informs domestic workers of their rights

More

Union calls for more protection for construction workers

More

Ten thousandth fairplay ball sold in Switzerland

Popular Stories

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