Wage protection at risk

A treaty between Switzerland and the EU is also of fundamental interest to musicians. An ice age in relations could make it more difficult for young Swiss people to study in the EU and find a job in an EU country.

Exploratory talks with the EU

The end of the undignified seasonal worker status and the introduction of the free movement of persons with effective accompanying measures were major steps that the trade unions fought for. The 2018 framework agreement, on the other hand, would have worsened wage protection and public services. The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) therefore spoke out against it. The EU had been pushing for the agreement to be signed since 2019. After further negotiations did not lead to the changes demanded by the Swiss side, the Federal Council unilaterally ended the talks. The Federal Council then decided to make a fresh start and held exploratory talks with the EU. Developments in these talks to date are worrying. The SGB is sounding the alarm. At its delegates' meeting, the SGB stated that wage protection is a prerequisite for opening up to the EU to benefit employees. It has therefore engaged in talks with the Federal Council, employers and the administration to ensure that the problems with wage protection are resolved. However, apart from deteriorations, nothing binding has been put on the table to date. Swiss working conditions and the public service are at risk. The accompanying measures must be improved, not worsened.

A resolution of the Assembly of Delegates

At its delegates' meeting, the SGB adopted a resolution that sets the following priorities, among others:

• The SGB is committed to a social, open Switzerland and recognizes the great importance of the EU for peaceful development and cooperation in Europe. It supports opening up to the EU in principle.
• Wage protection and public services have not yet been secured. This is all the more dangerous because there are forces in Switzerland that are misusing the discussions with the EU to push through their liberalization programmes.
• In terms of wage protection, both the enforcement of the CLA on a parity basis and important instruments such as the suspension of services and the deposit are not binding. Wage protection has become more challenging in recent years due to the increased use of subcontractors and temporary work. The basis of Swiss CLAs is gradually eroding. Temporary workers still have fewer rights than permanent employees.
• The SGB is fundamentally in favor of adopting the EU Citizens Directive, i.e. the free movement of persons. It means better legal status for employees from the EU.
• The SGB rejects the adoption of the EU expenses regulation and the total market opening for electricity and public transport.
• The conclusion of an agreement in the area of public health would be positive for Switzerland, but should not lead to a reduction in public subsidies in the healthcare sector.
• The SGB supports cohesion contributions to the EU, which can also be increased. They are an important, solidarity-based instrument for reducing income disparities in Europe. It would also be positive if Switzerland's suspended cooperation projects with the EU were quickly resumed. Switzerland and the EU have a great common interest in close cooperation in research, culture and education.

For the SGB, it is clear that a negotiating mandate from the Federal Council must include these points.