The “dual model” will be extended gradually across the country – with the exception of Geneva – from October, Uber’s Swiss director Jean-Pascal Aribot toldExternal link the Tribune de Genève newspaper on Saturday.
Aribot said such a system has already been tested in Lausanne (canton Vaud) since the start of 2022. It allows drivers to either remain independent, using Uber as a portal to connect with their clients, or become employees of a third-party company, which then also takes care of processing wages and social insurance payments.
More
More
Top Swiss court confirms Uber status as an employer
This content was published on
The Federal Court has upheld a ruling that the US ride-hailing firm should be treated as an employer.
According to Aribot, in the case of Lausanne, around 80% of drivers opted to remain self-employed after being offered the choice.
Across Switzerland, he said, some 3,000 drivers use Uber, most of them in the urban areas of Basel and Zurich. He also said the dual model would have to be adapted to the different regulations governing taxis in each canton. Bern, for example, does not allow non-professional drivers to pick up passengers, the Tribune de Genève writes.
Geneva sticking point
Geneva will however remain an exception to this, after a ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in June upheld the canton’s decision to define Uber drivers as employees. Complicated (and so far unsuccessful) negotiations about salary arrears and social insurance payments are ongoing with unions. Talks face a deadline of October 15.
Aribot said the Federal Court ruling has “no impact” on Uber’s activities in other Swiss cantons.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Zurich court rules Uber drivers are not ‘independent workers’
This content was published on
The rulingExternal link by the Zurich social insurance court, published on Thursday, says that the “marked subordination” in the relation between Uber and its drivers means that it is one of dependence between an employer and an employee. As such, Uber must pay social contributions for drivers, the court said: in this case – brought…
This content was published on
Trade union groups in Geneva have criticised the American Uber mobility service provider of dodging a top Swiss court ruling.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.