Trade unions call for demo against Swiss pension reforms
A dispute over reforms to the Swiss old-age pension scheme continues. Trade unions have rejected recent proposals and call for a national demonstration in Bern on September 18.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Português
pt
Sindicatos se preparam contra reforma da previdência
Reforms of the state old-age pension scheme that are on the table are an affront to workers, according to the Trade Union Federation and the trade union umbrella organisation Travail Suisse. They are particularly detrimental to women, the middle classes and are damaging trust in the existing pension system, they say.
“If it continues like this, we can’t see how we can continue to support the reform of the 2nd pillar,” Gabriela Medici, the deputy central secretary of the Trade Union Federation, told a press conference in Bern on Friday.
The complex Swiss pension system is based on three so-called pillars: old-age and survivors’ insurance (known as the AVS), occupational pension planning (often referred to as LPP) and private saving for old age encouraged through tax breaks.
More
More
Pension reform in Switzerland: a democratic balancing act
This content was published on
All major efforts since 2003 at reforming the Swiss pension system have failed. Is this a case of democracy meeting its limits?
Unions are unhappy with moves by the centre-right majority in parliament to introduce certain reforms of the old-age pension scheme. The government says a legal amendment is needed to stabilise the system, as contributions and pension payments are increasingly out of balance.
It has proposed raising the retirement age for women from 64 to 65 – in line with that of men – and increasing value added tax.
Recent reform proposals by the Social Commission of the House of Representatives would result in a reduction in pensions and favour high-earners, according to the unions.
But some groups think the government’s proposals don’t go far enough. Young Radicals, the youth wing of the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party, in July handed in 145,000 signatures in Bern to force a referendum (assuming 100,000 are valid) on a proposal to bring the retirement age to 66 by 2032, from the current 64 for women and 65 for men.
More
How to guarantee the pensions of the next generation
Switzerland faces a unique obstacle when it comes to preventing the pension system from collapsing.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
Pension reform in Switzerland: a democratic balancing act
This content was published on
All major efforts since 2003 at reforming the Swiss pension system have failed. Is this a case of democracy meeting its limits?
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.