Fonio slams UDC initiative at Pregassona party

Context

In brief

• OCST party in Pregassona with 400 people
• Fonio: UDC initiative risks jobs and wages
• OCST commitment to affordable housing

Key facts

• What: OCST Workers' Party
• When: May 1, 2026
• Where: Pregassona Warehouse, Lugano
• Who: OCST, Giorgio Fonio, Gianluca D'Ettorre
• Attendance: 400 participants

At the Pregassona Warehouse, the OCST organized the Workers' Party, attended by nearly 400 people, including workers and their families. The event, which started at 10:30 AM, offered conviviality with entertainment, music, aperitifs, and lunch, as well as reflections on work, training, affordable housing, and life after retirement.

Gianluca D'Ettorre, president of OCST, emphasized the value of work that promotes personal growth and develops talents. He highlighted the role of OCST in supporting workers not only in negotiations but also in other aspects of daily life related to work quality.

'Work is a fundamental pillar for personal and collective growth.'

Giorgio Fonio, national councilor and regional secretary of Mendrisiotto, criticized the popular initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million,' stating that if approved, it would jeopardize working conditions, wages, and create instability in sectors with labor shortages such as catering and nursing. He also criticized the Parliament for not improving working conditions for nursing staff, causing frustration in the sector.

📊 Current scenario vs. post-UDC initiative scenario:

• Today: Average wages in the nursing sector in Ticino range between 6,000 and 8,000 CHF per month.
• Post-initiative risk: 10-15% wage reduction, losing attractiveness for foreign workers.

Alessandro Viri, representative of the OCST Associations, spoke about the commitment to affordable housing, citing the difficulty of finding sustainable housing for families, young people, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals. He presented the Residenza Soabbia in Camorino, purchased in 2021 from a speculative fund, as a concrete example of dignified and accessible housing. OCST also manages residential properties in Mendrisio, Biasca, and Magliaso, totaling 11 apartments.

💡 Operational checklist for affordable housing:

• Identify properties for sale at affordable prices.
• Purchase with dedicated funds, as in the case of Camorino (1.2 million CHF).
• Renovate to ensure dignified housing standards.
• Manage directly or through cooperatives.

⚠️ Comparison between municipalities:

• Mendrisio: 3 OCST apartments, rents between 1,200 and 1,500 CHF/month.
• Biasca: 4 apartments, rents between 1,000 and 1,300 CHF/month.
• Magliaso: 4 apartments, rents between 1,100 and 1,400 CHF/month.

The event also featured the presentation of concrete projects to improve the quality of life for workers, such as continuous training courses and support for finding housing. OCST reaffirmed its commitment at the local level, with targeted initiatives in various Ticino municipalities, including Lugano, Mendrisio, and Biasca.

Operational details

The UDC initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million' is at the center of Giorgio Fonio's criticisms, who fears negative impacts on work and wages. If approved, the initiative could lead to instability in already struggling sectors such as catering and nursing, where there is a shortage of personnel. Currently, Ticino has around 3,500 vacant positions in the healthcare sector, with an employment rate of 97.3% in 2023. Fonio also highlighted the frustration in the nursing sector due to the lack of improvement in working conditions by the Parliament, despite the promises made in 2021.

📊 Operational checklist for the nursing sector:

• 2021: Promise of a 5% salary increase by 2023.
• 2023: Actual increase of 2.5%, below expectations.
• 2023: Shortage of 1,200 nurses in the Canton.

The OCST, through its festival in Pregassona, wanted to remind the importance of work and the need to defend its value. Gianluca D'Ettorre emphasized how work should promote the person and develop their talents, also improving society. The organization is committed not only to negotiating with employers but also in other areas of daily life that influence the quality of work.

💡 Comparison of practical scenarios:

• Current scenario: Average salary for a nurse in Ticino: CHF 7,500 per month.
• Post-UDC initiative scenario: Possible 10% reduction in salary, directly impacting 15,000 workers in the healthcare sector.

The commitment to affordable housing is another crucial point for the OCST. Alessandro Viri explained that finding sustainable housing is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for families, young people, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals. According to 2023 data, the average rent for an apartment in Lugano is CHF 2,500 per month, a 15% increase compared to 2020. The OCST has purchased and manages residential properties to ensure dignified and accessible housing, such as the Residenza Soabbia in Camorino, with 48 apartments, and other properties in Mendrisio, Biasca, and Magliaso.

⚠️ Regulations and amounts:

• Federal Law on Affordable Housing (2019): Goal of creating 10,000 new apartments by 2030.
• Maximum contribution for housing: CHF 1,500 per month for a 3.5-room apartment.

The OCST has also launched specific projects for young people and the elderly, such as the 'Young Independents' program in Bellinzona, which offers 20 apartments for CHF 1,200 per month, and the 'Senior Living' project in Locarno, with 30 apartments for CHF 1,800 per month. These initiatives aim to meet the needs of an increasingly competitive housing market and ensure dignified living conditions for all Ticino citizens.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

Party in Pregassona: 400 people and Fonio against UDC initiative

For cross-border workers and employees in Ticino, it is crucial to monitor political initiatives that could influence working conditions and salaries. A concrete example is the UDC initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million', which proposes to limit immigration to 10,000 people per year. This initiative could have significant impacts, especially in sectors with a shortage of personnel such as construction, hospitality, and healthcare.

Sectoral Impact

• Construction: In Ticino, the construction sector employs approximately 12,000 workers, a significant portion of whom are cross-border commuters. A limit on immigration could worsen the labor shortage, which is already critical in some areas like Lugano and Mendrisio.
• Hospitality: With over 3,000 beds and a high rate of seasonal employment, the tourism sector could be affected by a potential reduction in the flow of foreign workers.
• Healthcare: Ticino hospitals, such as EOC, rely on qualified personnel from abroad, especially from Italy and Germany.

Operational Checklist

• Check residence requirements: Some municipalities, such as Lugano and Bellinzona, offer incentives for those seeking moderate-rent accommodation.
• Participate in public consultations: Monitoring legislative initiatives and participating in consultations can influence decisions affecting the world of work.
• Use online tools: To calculate the impact of potential legislative changes on your salary, it is useful to use tools like the salary calculator.

Practical Comparisons

• Current scenario: A cross-border worker in Ticino enjoys competitive salary conditions, with an average salary of approximately CHF 6,500 per month.
• Post-UDC initiative scenario: If the initiative is approved, the labor market could slow down, with possible repercussions on salaries and employment opportunities.

"The UDC initiative could have a significant impact on the Ticino labor market, especially in sectors with a shortage of personnel."

Support for Accommodation

The OCST (Christian Organization for Social Welfare Ticino) offers support and manages residential properties in various locations in Ticino, such as Locarno, Lugano, and Chiasso. You can contact OCST for information on available accommodations and access criteria. For example, a moderate-rent accommodation in Lugano can cost approximately CHF 1,500 per month, compared to CHF 2,500 in the free market.

Regulations and Dates

• UDC Initiative: The popular vote is scheduled for 2024. If approved, the initiative would come into force by 2025.
• Moderate-rent accommodations: Local regulations vary, but generally, access criteria include a maximum income and residence in Ticino.

To delve deeper into the implications of the UDC initiative and the activities of OCST, you can visit the organization's website and consult the official documents.

Source: tio.ch