Parliament doubles duration of Swiss youth vacation
Published: Wednesday, Mar 13th 2024, 09:20
Updated At: Wednesday, Mar 13th 2024, 09:20
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Volunteers involved in youth work in Switzerland will soon be entitled to two weeks of unpaid youth leave instead of just one. Following the National Council, the Council of States has also spoken out in favor of a corresponding amendment to the law.
On Wednesday, the small chamber adopted two identical motions from the National Council without opposition, which will now go to the Federal Council for implementation. The national government had also spoken out in favor of adopting the motion by former National Councillor Ursula Schneider Schüttel (SP/FR) and National Councillor Maja Riniker (FDP/AG).
The motions were justified by the need to further promote the voluntary commitment of young people. This forms the basis of numerous youth organizations in sport and culture - for example in camps. However, the demands placed on young people have increased significantly.
Voluntary work is therefore often carried out during vacations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find leaders, supervisors and advisors who are willing to work for free in a cultural or social organization as part of extracurricular youth work.
Since 1991, all employees and apprentices in Switzerland up to the age of 30 have been entitled to a maximum of five days' unpaid leave per year, known as youth or educational leave for voluntary youth work. This is provided for in the Swiss Code of Obligations.
Not used very often
Only one minor criticism of the bill was voiced in the Council of States on Wednesday: he was bothered by the fact that, according to a federal information sheet, people who provide legal advice to youth unions could also take this unpaid time off. This was said by Daniel Fässler, member of the Council of States for Innerrhoden.
Federal Councillor Beat Jans promised that he would examine the purpose of youth leave when implementing the motion. According to Jans, the Federal Council is in favor of extending the length of leave because such leave is important for the personal development of young people. Employers would also not incur any wage costs, only organizational costs.
The number of people taking youth leave in Switzerland is relatively small, said Jans and also Matthias Michel (FDP/ZG), the spokesperson for the preliminary consultation committee. "But for those who do take it, one week is often not enough," said Michel. "A two-week scout camp lasts two weeks."
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