Collective agreements
Collective-agreement minimum wages 2026
Where there is no statutory cantonal minimum wage, the floor is set by sector collective agreements (CCL/GAV), often universally applicable. These are the four sectors that employ the most cross-border workers.
Updated on 21 July 2026
A collective labour agreement (CCL, in German GAV) is a deal between employer associations and trade unions that sets minimum conditions — including minimum wages — for a whole sector. When it is declared universally applicable, it covers every company in the branch, including those that employ cross-border workers. These minimums are binding: a company cannot pay less, and where they coexist with a cantonal minimum wage the higher figure applies.
Construction (main sector)
Contratto nazionale mantello edilizia (CNM / LMV)
Scope: National, universally applicable
| Labourer (class C) | CHF 4’747/month |
| Skilled (class Q/A) | CHF 5’187/month |
Minimums vary by wage zone and job class; a 13th salary applies. Indicative gross monthly figures for the sector.
Source: Società Svizzera Impresari Costruttori (SSIC/SBV) — CNM edilizia
Hotels and catering
Contratto collettivo nazionale di lavoro alberghi/ristorazione (L-GAV)
Scope: National, universally applicable
| Without vocational training | CHF 3’713/month |
| With federal VET diploma (EFZ) | CHF 4’528/month |
| Internship | CHF 2’390/month |
Gross monthly minimums valid from 1 January 2026, on 13 salaries. The sector employs many cross-border workers in the Mendrisiotto and Lugano areas.
Source: L-GAV — Contratto collettivo nazionale di lavoro per il settore alberghiero e della ristorazione
Cleaning sector
Contratto collettivo per il settore della pulizia (GAV Reinigung)
Scope: Regional (German-/French-speaking Switzerland), universally applicable
| Unqualified staff | CHF 20–24/hour |
| With federal VET diploma (cleaning) | CHF 25.80/hour |
The unqualified hourly minimum depends on the region; in cantons with a statutory minimum wage (GE, NE, TI…) the higher of the two applies.
Source: Contratto collettivo di lavoro per il settore della pulizia (Allpura / sindacati)
Temporary agency work (staff leasing)
Contratto collettivo prestito di personale (GAV Personalverleih)
Scope: National, universally applicable
| Unskilled | CHF 21.22–22.39/hour |
| Skilled | CHF 25.86–27.62/hour |
The agency minimum follows a cascade: if the client company’s own CCL sets a higher floor, that one applies. Many cross-border workers start on temporary agency contracts.
Source: swissstaffing — GAV Personalverleih (prestito di personale)
Frequently asked questions
What are collective-agreement minimum wages?
They are the minimum wages set by sector collective labour agreements. When the agreement is universally applicable, the minimum is binding for every company in the branch, regardless of the canton.
Do collective-agreement minimums apply to cross-border workers?
Yes. The collective-agreement minimum applies to every employee in the sector, including cross-border workers with a G permit employed in Switzerland.
What if the canton already has a statutory minimum wage?
The figure more favourable to the employee applies. If the cantonal minimum wage is higher than the collective-agreement minimum, the cantonal one prevails, and vice versa.