Switzerland's largest trade union has called for money to be invested in the economy rather than used to solve debts arising from the global financial crisis.

The appeal forms part of a six-point plan for boosting the economy, unveiled by Unia on the occasion of its four-year anniversary.

To protect the economy the union says key rates should be lowered at the Swiss central, cantonal and Raiffeisen banks and a public spending policy developed that stimulates the economic situation.

Spiralling electricity prices should be stopped, the taxation of top executives' salaries and company profits revised, and workers' salaries increased during negotiations this autumn, the union says.

"Instead of having to buying back rotting debts with billions of taxpayers' money, it would be more sensible to invest this into the real economy," Unia head Andreas Rieger said.

The union added that its merger with four other trade unions from the construction, engineering, retail and catering sectors four years ago had been successful.

Unia says it represents about one million employees in 80 different branches.

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