Politics · Switzerland · 7 hrs ago
Swiss union plans initiative for 5,000-franc minimum wage after apprenticeships
The Swiss Trade Union Federation wants a 5,000-franc monthly minimum wage for people who have completed an initial vocational apprenticeship.
The proposal would apply across Switzerland, where wages and living costs vary between cantons.
The federation says 28% of workers with a vocational qualification earn less than 5,000 francs a month, based on a 40-hour week and 13 monthly payments.
Its congress is due to decide at the end of the week whether to approve the plan.
If it does, the federation will prepare a popular initiative, a proposal that can be put to a national vote.
The Swiss Employers’ Association opposes a state-guaranteed starting wage, arguing that vocational training offers good entry opportunities and room to advance.
Economists say minimum wages can have positive effects, but warn that a single national amount may be problematic if it is too high compared with the median wage.
The Swiss Trade Union Federation plans to seek a popular initiative guaranteeing a monthly minimum wage of 5,000 francs for workers who have completed vocational training.
The proposal still needs approval at the federation’s congress at the end of the week.
The federation says 28% of people with completed vocational training earn less than 5,000 francs a month.
The Swiss Employers’ Association opposes a state-guaranteed starting wage, arguing that vocational training offers good entry opportunities and room to progress.
Economists warn that a single national minimum wage may be problematic, given differences between cantons and the relationship to median pay.
- Who
- The Swiss Trade Union Federation is proposing the initiative; the Swiss Employers’ Association opposes it.
- What
- A popular initiative would guarantee a monthly minimum wage of 5,000 francs for people who have completed vocational training.
- When
- The proposal is due to be considered at the federation’s congress at the end of the week.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The federation says 28% of people with completed vocational training earn less than 5,000 francs a month.
Swiss Trade Union Federation
Swiss Employers’ Association
Minimum wage
Swiss Trade Union Federation
The federation wants a monthly minimum of 5,000 francs for workers who have completed vocational training.
Swiss Employers’ Association
The association opposes a state-guaranteed starting wage.
Role of vocational training
Swiss Trade Union Federation
Not stated.
Swiss Employers’ Association
Its strength lies in good entry opportunities and broad opportunities for development, the association says.
Reports said the Swiss Trade Union Federation planned a popular initiative for a 5,000-franc monthly minimum wage.
The federation’s congress is due to consider whether to approve the proposal.
- Proposed minimum wage
- 5,000 francs per month
- Workers covered
- People who have completed vocational training
- Share earning less than proposed minimum
- 28%
- Congress decision
- Approval due at the federation’s congress at the end of the week
- Employer opposition
- Swiss Employers’ Association
3 sources
Gewerkschaften planen Initiative: Mindestens 5000 Franken für Lehrabgänger? Wie schlecht es wirklich um Schweizer Löhne steht
Apprentissage: les syndicats visent un salaire minimum de 5000 francs, mais les écarts entre cantons compliquent la donne
Presse: Gewerkschaftsbund plant Initiative für 5000 Franken Mindestlohn
What people are saying
in einem staatlich garantierten Startniveau, sondern in guten Einstiegschancen und einer hohen Durchlässigkeit mit vielseitigen Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten
La recherche montre que lorsqu’un salaire minimum dépasse les deux tiers du revenu médian, cela devient plus problématique du point de vue de l’emploi