Disillusioned unions: we may withdraw our support (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The Economic Commission of the Council of States has decided not to modify the measures on wage protection.
• The president of Travail Suisse, Adrian Wüthrich, is disappointed and threatens to withdraw support for the package of agreements with the EU.
• The issue of bail is particularly controversial.

Key facts

• What: The Economic Commission of the Council of States has decided not to change the measures on wage protection.
• When: The decision was made in the week of 15 August 2026.
• Where: The decision was made in Bern.
• Who: The Economy Commission of the Council of States was chaired by [name of person].
• Amount: Not yet specified.

The decision of the Economic Commission to the Council of States not to change the measures on wage protection irritates the president of Travail Suisse, Adrian Wüthrich. He argues that it is “incomprehensible” that the Commission has decided to maintain the current wage protection measures, which are far stricter than those required by the EU. Wüthrich represents ten acronyms with 130,000 members and argues that wage protection does not improve, but can be maintained and modernized.

The issue of bail is particularly controversial. Today, in certain sectors, companies must in any case pay a deposit before being able to carry out an assignment in Switzerland. This serves to ensure that fines are

Operational details

The Economic Commission's decision to the Council of States not to change wage protection measures has created difficulties for trade unions. The issue of bail is particularly controversial. Today, in certain sectors, companies must in any case pay a deposit before being able to carry out an assignment in Switzerland. This serves to ensure that fines are actually paid if a company violates wage rules. Under pressure from the EU, the bail obligation should be abolished in the package of agreements. Only companies that have already breached wage rules once should still be required to post a deposit. However, the Economic Commission of the Council of States wants to maintain the current regulation, which is much stricter.

Wüthrich admits that the problem is that we do not maintain a good relationship with the EU. It is unclear whether the Economic Commission will be able to get its proposals through the plenary of the Council of States. The Foreign Policy Committee asked on Friday to reject his proposals. The Chamber of Cantons will therefore probably have to deal with contradictory proposals from two committees in the autumn session.

Should the compromise on wage protection fail, Travail Suisse will review its position, announces President Wüthrich: "We have always said that we give our support if the fourteen measures of the wage package

Recommended tools

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Key points

If the compromise on wage protection is to be skipped, it is important to consider the practical implications for workers and companies in Switzerland. It is essential to understand how the decision of the Economic Commission at the Council of States may affect wage protection and industrial relations. In this context, it is important to be aware of any deadlines and procedures that may be involved.

To deepen this information and to find out how the decision may affect wage protection and industrial relations, it is advisable to consult official documents and reliable sources. In addition, it is always useful to consult an expert in the field of labour law or industrial relations to better understand the implications of the decision.

In this article, we have tried to provide an overview of the facts and positions of the main actors involved in the decision. We hope this article can be helpful to help you better understand the situation and any implications of the decision.

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Source: rsi.ch