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Swiss trade unions demand hard line with EU over wages

Swiss Trade Union Federation chief economist Daniel Lampart
The Swiss Trade Union Federation fears an erosion of wages and public sector services. © Keystone / Peter Klaunzer

The Swiss Trade Union Federation has condemned both the European Union and Swiss companies for trying to force down workers’ wages.

On Friday the trade union body put forward a series of demands with Switzerland and the EU still locked in talks over the future of political and economic relations.

The federation said the current talks are heading in the wrong direction for the future of Swiss workers and the public sector.

Union leaders expressed anger at a European Commission demand that EU companies with offices in Switzerland stop paying their employees Swiss salary rates.

Trade Union Federation chief economist Daniel Lampart finds this “anti-worker attitude…incomprehensible” as it would cost EU workers in Switzerland up to CHF1,000 per month in reduced earnings.

Lampart also accused Swiss employers who are involved in EU negotiations of encouraging a deterioration of wages by doing nothing to block the EU’s machinations.

“This creeping erosion of wage protection must be stopped,” Lampart said.

The Trade Union Federation is also opposed to the proposed full merger of the Swiss and EU electricity market and the opening of the public transport sector.

This would threaten crucial public sector services in Switzerland, Lampart said.

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