The Federal Council took the decision to raise the minimum wage by 1.5% on Friday after learning about the extent of infringements between 2019 and 2021. During these three years, the minimum wage for domestic workers was not always applied. The rate of infringement of the wage provisions in the domestic work sector was around 10%.
A minimum wage for unqualified domestic workers in Switzerland came into force in 2011 at CHF18.20 per hour.
The state can only intervene in wage setting if there is a repeated pattern of abusive wage undercutting in an occupation or sector and if no solution is possible via unions. In this case, the government consulted the cantons and the associations concerned, which were favourable.
In view of the infringements, the government also decided to extend the ordinance governing the minimum wage for domestic workers for three years. Due to the high demand for foreign labour in private households, the pressure on wages and the risk of abuse would increase if the minimum wage prescribed in the ordinance were abolished, according to the government.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Trump tariff shock: how Switzerland is positioning itself
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
This content was published on
Swiss imports and exports reached new heights in the first quarter, driven by the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Shipments to the US rose sharply.
Italian in Switzerland accused of being Calabrian mafia henchman
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has charged an Italian resident of the Anello-Fruci 'Ndrangheta clan in the canton of Aargau.
Swiss CFOs have a pessimistic outlook due to trade wars
This content was published on
In the wake of the trade wars launched by US President Donald Trump, Swiss companies are assessing the future much more pessimistically.
Swiss parcel bomber had links to military and intelligence services
This content was published on
The 61-year-old man who admitted to being Patek Philippe's blackmailer in Geneva had connections in the police and the army.
Beware of exploitative part-time jobs in Switzerland
This content was published on
Gaurav tries to find a job in Indian restaurants to pay the bills but is shocked when asked to work long hours for a pittance.
Swiss-based domestic worker receives top Philippines award
This content was published on
The prize awarded to Lily in Manila in December, is recognition for more than two decades of efforts to help Filipino workers abroad and people in her home community back in the Philippines. Lily is proud of having received the award even though she has almost no formal education – she had to drop out…
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.