These changes come into force in Switzerland on August 1
Published: Thursday, Jul 25th 2024, 09:20
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New legal bases for the baccalaureate, crisis prevention in transport and an extension of the maximum period of entitlement to short-time working compensation: These legislative changes and innovations come into force in Switzerland on August 1.
EDUCATION: The total revision of the legal basis for the baccalaureate comes into force. In Swiss grammar schools, the language of instruction and mathematics are to be strengthened, economics, law and IT are to be offered as additional basic subjects and the choice of core subjects is to be expanded. A binding minimum number of four school years up to the Matura will also be stipulated by law. The cantons have a maximum of ten years to implement this. This is provided for in the new framework curriculum for baccalaureate schools. Student exchanges are also to be promoted. From August 1, grammar schools will also have to devote at least three percent of teaching time to interdisciplinary work.
BORDER CONTROLS: Switzerland is now participating in an instrument for financial assistance in the area of border management and visa policy to strengthen the protection of the Schengen external borders. The so-called BMVI Fund is the successor instrument to the Internal Security Fund, in which Switzerland participated from 2018 and which expired at the end of 2020. The BMVI Fund runs from 2021 to 2027 and supports Schengen states that bear high costs for the protection of Schengen external borders due to their extensive land or sea borders and major international airports. Switzerland is expected to contribute around CHF 300 million to the fund over the seven-year term. During the same period, Switzerland is expected to receive allocations totaling CHF 50 million from the fund. According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the aim of the instrument is to improve the efficiency of border controls and prevent illegal entry.
CRISIS PREVENTION: The new Ordinance on the Coordination of Transport in Exceptional Situations (VKOVA) created by the Federal Council comes into force. According to the federal government, the ordinance enables structured crisis management for all areas of transport and therefore the most efficient use of all modes of transport in the event of a crisis. In addition to public transport, rail freight transport and traffic on national roads, private road freight transport and air traffic are now also included in crisis preparedness. Transport plays an important role in managing a crisis situation, the Federal Council announced in mid-June, referring to its experience with the Covid-19 pandemic and preparations for a possible power shortage.
SHORT-TIME WORK: Companies can now claim short-time working compensation for their employees for a maximum of eighteen months instead of twelve. Due to the sharp rise in energy prices at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, energy-intensive industries in particular had to resort to short-time working compensation. Although energy prices have fallen again in the meantime, the Federal Council announced in mid-June of the current year. However, the economic situation remains difficult in various sectors. By extending the maximum period of entitlement, companies that have already reached or will soon reach the regular maximum period of entitlement will have more time to adapt to the difficult situation. The corresponding amendment to the ordinance is also intended to counteract an increase in unemployment. The extended maximum entitlement period applies until the end of July 2025.
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