According to the SGB, the Federal Council must improve the negotiating mandate
Published: Friday, Dec 15th 2023, 15:20
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Following the presentation of the negotiating mandate with the EU, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) is calling for improvements to wage protection and public services. In addition, there is a threat of competition and liberalization instead of regulated basic services and cooperation in the areas of electricity supply and international rail transport.
The SGB announced on Friday that the federal administration had made considerable concessions in the exploratory talks that jeopardized wage protection and public services in the electricity and rail sectors.
As far as wage protection is concerned, expenses, the service ban and the deposit would have to be secured. For example, Switzerland would have to adopt EU expense legislation, which would lead to wage pressure and unfair competition.
Domestic improvements are also needed in collective employment contracts and in the regulation of temporary work. According to the SGB, wage protection in Switzerland has been under pressure for some time, regardless of agreements. "Precarious forms of employment" such as temporary work have increased and wage dumping is not punished enough.
With regard to electricity and international passenger transport, the SGB is calling for cooperation agreements instead of market access agreements in order to guarantee the public service. In the electricity dossier, a solution is needed in the high-voltage sector - and not a connection to the liberalized EU internal market, according to the SGB.
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