From 3,500 to zero: internships and inequalities in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Internship salaries in Switzerland vary greatly.
• Some internships are well-paid, others are not.
• Lack of a federal law regulating intern salaries.

Key facts

• What: Salary disparity among interns.
• When: Currently.
• Where: Throughout Switzerland.
• Who: Young people starting their careers.
• Amount: From 3’500 francs to zero.

In Switzerland, the conditions for those undertaking a work internship vary greatly, from well-paid positions to unpaid ones. This reality particularly affects young people starting their careers, shaping their relationship with work.

On one hand, there are companies that invest in the training of their interns. This is the case of a pharmaceutical multinational based in Meyrin, where Thomas Villaman is completing an internship in medical communication. The monthly salary can reach 3’500 francs, with additional benefits such as free meals, tea, and coffee, and access to a gym.

"I have a supervisor and a specific project. In the end, I will produce a report, a sort of short thesis for my master’s degree," he explains. His role, he emphasizes, is not meant to replace a permanent position but to provide additional support to the company.

In other realities, the picture is quite different. Nina*, for example, is doing a six-month internship at a Geneva-based NGO without any compensation. For her, the experience quickly turned into a nightmare. "I work in a structure where there are no employees: all the work is done by interns. And the manager is practically absent," she recounts.

The young woman found herself managing a significant workload and accumulating overtime. She was also promised specific training that never materialized. She decided to speak publicly about her experience to "stop normalizing unpaid internships."

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Operational details

Towards a "stagification" of the labour market?

For some observers, the problem goes beyond the financial aspect. Sociologist Dominique Glaymann warns against a progressive "stagification" of the world of work. In his opinion, the spread of these temporary and low-cost contracts is profoundly changing the way people access employment.

According to the sociologist, jobs that were once intended for young professionals at the beginning of their careers are now systematically replaced by interns. A paradox for an instrument that, at least in intentions, should favour the professional integration of young people.

The effectiveness of this route also raises questions. In fact, there is no statistical data that shows that doing more internships actually increases the chances of obtaining a permanent contract.

Nevertheless, for some young companies this workforce has become essential. This is the case of a start-up active in the natural cosmetics sector in Neuchâtel, where two interns work alongside seven employees. A choice that the owner openly claims and attributes to budgetary reasons. “An intern costs on average two and a half times less than a new hire,” explains director Paul Liurette.

Some cantons, such as the French-speaking ones in Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura, have adopted laws introducing a minimum wage.

However, there are exceptions to these laws. In Geneva, in

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

What to do if you are an intern in Switzerland

If you are an intern in Switzerland and find yourself in a precarious situation, it is important to know your rights and the options available. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Learn about local laws : Check if your canton has laws regulating the pay of interns. Some cantons, such as Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura, have introduced a minimum wage for interns.

2. Contact student associations: If you are a student, you can contact local student associations for support and information about your working conditions.

3. Speak publicly about your experience: If you feel that your internship experience is unfair, you may decide to speak publicly about your situation. This can help raise public awareness and promote change.

4. Use the site tools: To deepen your knowledge about intern rights and job opportunities in Switzerland, you can use the salary calculator and job vacancy comparator available on our site.

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Source: tvsvizzera.it