Parties and industry welcome foreseeable negotiating mandate
Published: Wednesday, Nov 8th 2023, 16:40
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 00:54
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Business associations and the majority of political parties welcomed the drafting of a mandate for negotiations with the EU on Wednesday. The employers' side was convinced that a domestic political agreement could be reached on the wage protection measures. The employees, and in particular once again the SVP, are more critical.
Apparently, the Federal Council has already anticipated the future results of the negotiations in secret negotiations with the EU and summarized them in a secret report, the so-called "Common Understanding", writes the SVP in a statement. It calls for this report to be published immediately. The population has a right to know what untenable concessions the center-left majority of the Federal Council is prepared to make to the EU.
The SP supported the end of the exploratory talks. However, if the contents of the negotiations remain as set out in an unpublished report, Switzerland will continue to be excluded from key future issues. The SP listed climate, industrial, tax, financial market and security policy.
The FDP stated that the Federal Council's sectoral approach was in line with an older demand of the party. The FDP accused the trade unions, which had demanded improvements to wage protection, of showing an irresponsible blockade attitude and damaging Switzerland's interests.
The center warned that the consensus of the social partners was essential. In the mandate, the Federal Council must show how it intends to negotiate on an equal footing on the basis of a broad consensus among all stakeholders. The Centre Party called for stable cooperation with the EU without jeopardizing social welfare and wage levels.
The Greens reacted with "finally". For the negotiations to succeed, the Federal Council must involve all pro-European forces and distance itself from the isolationists. However, it lacked the necessary leadership. The domestic political differences could be resolved. GLP President Jürg Grossen also called for a bundling of forces.
Economy made easier
The business umbrella organization Economiesuisse saw many open questions clarified after the exploratory rounds. The negotiating mandate must take advantage of the good starting position. The association welcomed the package approach and expected the Federal Council to make a decision on the mandate before the end of the year.
The Swiss Employers' Association praised the conclusion of the exploratory talks as an important milestone. One of the biggest problems currently facing the exporting economy is the uncertain relationship with the European Union. The social partners would continue the talks, particularly on the topic of wage protection.
Swissmem announced on behalf of the mechanical, electrical and metal industry that the Federal Council had not been deterred by disruptive maneuvers. The current level of wage protection could be secured with technical improvements. Additional interventions in the labor market are not necessary.
Continue wage protection
The Swiss Trade Association hopes to break the deadlock with the EU and is calling for genuine negotiations for a package that will stand up before the people. The protection of Swiss wage levels must be maintained without expansion. The SME Association missed a statement on the role of the European Court of Justice and called for respect for direct democracy.
The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions supported the drafting of the mandate. However, it demanded a correction to the concessions on wage protection, electricity and the railroads. The claim that public services would not be affected by the negotiations was misleading.
The employees' umbrella organization Travailsuisse considers the results of the exploratory talks to date to be inadequate. Weakening wage protection and liberalizing public services would be unacceptable concessions to the EU. The domestic policy options for offsetting these are limited.
The Transport Workers' Union (SEV) demanded that neither international passenger nor rail freight transport should fall victim to the EU's liberalization pressure.
The Conference of Cantonal Governments was satisfied with the involvement of the cantons. In their view, the new negotiations provide the much-needed legal and planning certainty.
The European Movement Switzerland called for negotiations to be concluded by the summer of 2024, while the anti-EU organization Pro Switzerland warned that the EU wanted to adopt the EU Citizens Directive, which puts EU citizens on an equal footing with Swiss citizens.
©Keystone/SDA
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