Trade union federation demands changes to debt brake
Published: Friday, Sep 20th 2024, 16:40
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Following the presentation of the Federal Council's savings proposals, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions is calling for changes to the debt brake. It also wants to hold the cantons to account.
"Everyone knows that the debt brake has not been implemented in accordance with the constitution," wrote the SGB in a communiqué on Friday. Instead of balanced finances, it produces surpluses at the expense of the population.
It is also clear that the federal government is having to take on more and more of the cantons' tasks because they are not doing their job, it continued. The trade union federation cited the programs to create daycare places and premium reductions as examples.
Against this backdrop, the SGB called for an analysis. Correct application of the debt brake and a more balanced distribution of federal and cantonal funds would increase the Confederation's scope for spending by two to four billion francs. "It is more than questionable whether an austerity program is still needed at all."
The Confederation Staff Association (PVB) expressed its concern and called for an in-depth consultation. If, as proposed, a total of CHF 180 million were to be cut from federal staff by 2028, this would have a massive impact on working conditions.
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