Working poverty in Ticino: the silent challenge (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

Working poverty in Ticino is a serious problem that affects a quarter of the canton's population. The “working poor” are twice the Swiss average, and they need decent wages, space for those with more experience, real opportunities for young people and listening for those who are often neglected. Working poverty in Ticino is not an inevitable fate, but a challenge that is faced with courageous choices, not empty words.

Key facts

Working poverty in Ticino is a serious problem. A quarter of the population is at risk of working poverty. The working poor are twice the Swiss average. We need decent wages, spaces for those with more experience, real opportunities for young people and listening for those who are often neglected.

The silent challenge

Working poverty in Ticino is a problem that is not sufficiently addressed. Many Ticino workers live in working poverty, without access to decent wages, space to grow in their careers and opportunities for young people. This problem is particularly evident in the Lugano region, where working poverty affects 27.6% of the population, according to 2022 data.

Working poverty in Ticino: a challenge that is faced with courageous choices

Working poverty in Ticino is not an inevitable fate. It is a challenge that is faced with courageous choices, not empty words. To address this issue, it is

Operational details

Working poverty in Ticino: the silent challenge

Working poverty in Ticino is a serious problem that requires an urgent solution. According to the most recent data, a quarter of the Canton's population is at risk of working poverty, twice the Swiss average. This means that over 50,000 people in Ticino are considered 'working poor', i.e. workers who cannot maintain a decent standard of living despite their work commitment.

Working poverty in Ticino is a complex phenomenon that has deep roots in the history and culture of the Canton. On the one hand, Ticino is known for its economy strongly linked to the textile industry and crafts, which have suffered a significant decline in recent decades. On the other hand, the Canton has an ageing and declining population, with a low birth rate and a high emigration of young people.

The need for living wages

One of the main causes of working poverty in Ticino is the lack of decent wages. According to 2022 data, the average monthly salary in Ticino is around CHF 4,500, 15% less than the Swiss average. This means that many workers in Ticino are unable to maintain a decent standard of living, despite their work commitment.

The situation is particularly critical in the textile and craft industries, where wages have been reduced in recent years to compete

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Key points

Working poverty in Ticino: the silent challenge

To tackle working poverty in Ticino, we need decent wages, spaces for those with more experience, real opportunities for young people and listening for those who are often neglected. It is a challenge that is faced with courageous choices, not empty words. Working poverty is a real and widespread problem in Ticino, as shown by data from the Ticino Shipyard, which reports a 30% increase in cases of working poverty in 2022 compared to the previous year.

According to the report by Cantiere Ticino, working poverty is highest in rural areas of the canton, where 45% of families live with an income below the poverty line. In cities such as Lugano and Bellinzona, the situation is slightly better, but still worrying. Working poverty is a problem that affects not only people of working age, but also young people and women.

The minimum hourly wage in Switzerland is CHF 23.70 per day, but in Ticino you can find jobs at CHF 20-22 per day. This means that many workers cannot afford to live decently on their paychecks. Lack of space for the more experienced is another serious issue. According to the Ticino Shipyard report, 60% of workers in Ticino do not have access to continuous training or refresher courses.

To tackle working poverty in Ticino, courageous choices must be made. One of the first actions

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Source: tio.ch