Trade union criticizes wage dumping at heliport in Sion
Published: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 15:31
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On Thursday, the trade union Unia denounced wage dumping on the construction site of the helicopter landing pad at Sion Hospital. The fitters would only receive half the wage stipulated in the collective labor agreement (CLA). Spital Valais said it would do everything in its power to enforce compliance with the applicable rules.
Unia stated in a press release on Thursday that the CLA for the metal construction industry stipulates 29.90 francs per hour for employees, but that they only received 14.98 euros per hour at the construction site in Sion. The fitters were also being cheated in terms of expenses, as they only received 10 francs per day for meals, although the CLA stipulates 18 francs.
All in all, the employees are being cheated out of around CHF 3,000 per month. In addition, they have not received any wages since October 22, although a weekly payment had been agreed.
"Constructive" meeting
Following a "constructive" meeting with Unia representatives on Thursday, the Valais hospital stated in a press release that it would "do everything in its power to enforce compliance with the minimum conditions applicable in Switzerland".
Spital Valais pointed out that the company commissioned had "a lump-sum contract for the work" for the construction of the helipad from mid-October to the end of December 2023 and that it had "no access to the corresponding wage conditions".
The Valais hospital also emphasized that 98 percent of the work for the expansion of the Sion hospital had been awarded to Swiss and Valais companies.
Unia: Violation of the law
The Dutch company commissioned by the Valais hospital to build the helipad employs staff via a temporary company, which is also Dutch.
"This is a clear violation of the law: foreign staff leasing companies are not allowed to lend their employees to Switzerland," criticized the union. It points out that contracts may only be carried out by companies that are authorized to do so.
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