Nurses: no to reducing weekly hours

Di Valerie Linc ·

The National Council has decided to maintain the maximum weekly working hours for nurses at 50, despite the popular initiative approved in 2021.

Contesto

In brief - The National Council has decided to maintain the maximum weekly working hours for nurses at 50 hours. - The normal duration of the working week has been set at 42 hours. - Discussions continue on improving the working conditions of nursing staff. ## Key facts - What: Decision on the maximum weekly working hours for nurses - When: 28 April 2026 - Where: Bern - Who: Swiss National Council - Amount: 50 hours (maximum weekly duration), 42 hours (normal weekly duration) The Swiss National Council has decided to maintain the maximum weekly working hours for nurses at 50 hours, despite the popular initiative approved on 28 November 2021. The decision was made during the discussion of the law implementing the initiative, which aims to improve the working conditions of nursing staff. The normal duration of the working week has been set at 42 hours, with 117 votes in favor and 72 against. Diverging views emerged early in the debates, with the SVP and FDP presenting two proposals to refer the dossier back to the government. For the Democrats, the higher costs caused by the project should be entirely compensated by restrictions in the catalog of services of compulsory health insurance. According to the FDP, the project should be coordinated with the introduction of uniform financing of care (EFAS Reform) and with tariff negotiations. The proposals on the table today will cause an increase in premiums of 2-4%, Diana Gutjahr (SVP/TG) has argued. For the Thurgovian, it is therefore necessary to have a discussion about the catalog of services. 'Yes, it is very annoying, but it is necessary,' she argued. For the Democrat, this does not correspond to a rejection of the initiative, 'but to an honest and responsible implementation.' The requests for postponement would resul...

Dettagli operativi

Analysis of the decisions taken The National Council decided to maintain the maximum weekly working hours for nurses at 50 hours, despite the Federal Council's proposals to reduce it to 45 hours. The decision was made with 110 votes against 84, with the majority considering that the Federal Council's proposals constituted excessive interference in labor relations and involved disproportionate costs. The commission rapporteur Benjamin Roduit (Centre/VS) emphasized that reducing the hours could paradoxically exacerbate the shortage of qualified labor and exert greater pressure on the sector. This would go against the main objective of the initiative accepted by the people, which is to improve the working conditions of nursing staff. ### Implications for cross-border workers The National Council's decision has important implications for cross-border workers employed in the Swiss healthcare sector. Maintaining the maximum weekly working hours at 50 could influence the availability of qualified nursing staff, especially in a context of labor shortages. Furthermore, the decision could impact the costs of the healthcare sector, with possible repercussions on health insurance premiums. For cross-border workers in Ticino, it is important to monitor the evolution of discussions on improving the working conditions of nursing staff. Decisions made by the National Council could influence local policies and working conditions in the Canton of Ticino. ### Comparison with the previous situation Before the National Council's decision, the Federal Council had proposed reducing the maximum weekly working hours to 45 and the normal hours to 40-42. The National Council's decision to maintain the maximum at 50 hours represents a significant change from the initial proposals. The decisio...

Punti chiave

Concrete actions for cross-border workers For cross-border workers employed in the healthcare sector in Switzerland, it's important to monitor the evolution of discussions on improving the working conditions of nursing staff. Decisions made by the National Council could influence local policies and working conditions in the Canton of Ticino. ### Procedure for cross-border workers Cross-border workers in Ticino should inform themselves about the decisions made by the National Council and the possible implications for their working conditions. It's important to monitor the evolution of discussions and be aware of changes in local policies. ### Useful tools For cross-border workers who wish to delve into the implications of the decisions made by the National Council, it's possible to use the salary calculator to estimate the impact of the new working conditions on their income. Additionally, practical guides can be consulted to obtain detailed information on the procedures and documents required to work in Switzerland. ### Final CTA For further information on the implications of the decisions made by the National Council for cross-border workers in Ticino, it's possible to use the salary calculator to estimate the impact of the new working conditions on their income. Additionally, practical guides can be consulted to obtain detailed information on the procedures and documents required to work in Switzerland. Source: tio.ch

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