SP puts pressure on wage protection with a view to negotiating mandate
Published: Thursday, Dec 14th 2023, 16:20
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Shortly before the Federal Council presents its negotiating mandate, the SP is once again exerting pressure. Although it supports the Federal Council in principle, it is once again warning against the erosion of wage protection through EU regulations. The Social Democrats are therefore calling for an adjustment of the mandate and domestic policy measures.
The SP wrote in a statement on Thursday that it would oppose the misuse of European policy "for an attack on public services and wage and working conditions".
"European policy is too important to introduce liberal aspirations via the back door, which would otherwise have no chance in this country," warned SP Co-President Cédric Wermuth at a media conference.
Instead, European policy must improve the lives of people on both sides of the border. The SP therefore demands: "Integration flanked by social protection." This is the yardstick by which it wants to measure the outcome of the negotiations and the supplementary domestic measures, the press release continued.
To this end, the negotiating mandate is to be specified. In order to guarantee the "current level of protection" of wages in the long term, a non-regression clause is needed, among other things, "which effectively safeguards the pay and working conditions of posted and resident employees against any deterioration" through EU legislation.
Anti-erosion pact demanded
They are also prepared to "go along with the principle of dynamization", said Wermuth. In doing so, the SP and the trade unions were taking a step towards the Federal Council and the majority of parliament. "However, this means that there must be absolutely compulsory compensation and supplementary measures that are negotiated with the social partners," he continued.
For example, the SP is calling for an "anti-erosion pact for labor law and working conditions", thanks to which the accompanying measures could be maintained even if they were deemed disproportionate by the arbitration court, for example.
The Federal Council would then be able to propose an "equivalent alternative compatible with European law" or accept compensation payments.
The SP Co-President is also calling for the adoption of EU regulations in areas that would strengthen the rights of Swiss employees - such as parental leave or platform workers. Wermuth notes a "gentle socio-political turnaround" in the EU.
Demands in the electricity agreement
However, the SP is also making demands in other areas - such as electricity. The party is advocating a phased approach: in a first stage, a technical agreement should be concluded to ensure grid stability and electricity supply in winter.
In a second stage, negotiations on a separate electricity agreement outside of the package approach are to be initiated. In addition, price volatility should be prevented as far as possible, particularly for households.
In the case of state aid, the effects of an agreement should also be evaluated independently and presented to the public in parallel with the conclusion of the negotiations.
The SP Co-President also expressed his disappointment with the current negotiation package. He described it as "very narrow-minded, unambitious and largely lacking in perspective".
A "somewhat bolder approach" would have been desirable, Wermuth continued. Key issues such as climate, security, migration, taxes, industrial policy and financial market control would not be addressed. The SP is also proposing that the EU's Supply Chain Act be included in the negotiation package.
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