By Bond Robertson 
Unemployment in Switzerland has reached a record low.
At the same time, the demand for labor has never been higher.
There is a shortage of particularly qualified workers, and Swiss employers want to do something about it.
Therefore, the Swiss Employers Association (SAV) offers eight solutions to solve the problem.
One of these days is longer work days and more work.
This was reported by the SRF news channel.
Over 70 years of age: If SAV fulfills its wishes, the Swiss will have to work longer days and many more years. Photo: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters
More and more working days
The proposals come in the light of a new study showing that majorities in Switzerland are in favor of longer working days.
According to the SAV, the average Swiss work two weeks less per year than they did ten years ago.
So the employers’ union says it is necessary to get rid of existing disincentives.
They also demand the rejection of political proposals aimed at reducing working hours.
The eight solutions of the Swiss Employers Association
- Increased workload per workday
- More flexible working hours
- Raising the retirement age to 70+
- Make common fields of study more affordable and required professional education cheaper
- Increase investment in vocational education
- More transparency for labor migration
- Retaining more persons with disabilities in the labor market
- Better coverage of kindergartens nationwide
Switzerland will also see a wave of elderly people when the so-called “boomers” reach retirement age.
The country is among the countries in Europe with the lowest retirement age. The average retirement age in Switzerland is 65.
Warsaw: This is how it looked when the French president raised the retirement age by two years. Photo: Jeremias Gonzalez/AP
One solution to reduce the impact of the aging wave is to allow workers to work until they are 70 or older.
French President Emmanuel Macron sparked major protests when he was forced to overhaul the country’s retirement system, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
More stress and fatigue
The Swiss trade union SGB wrote in an email to TV 2 that it believed the proposals would increase sick absenteeism and weaken the working environment.
Employers want to turn back the clock. The consequences are increased stress and burnout, writes Benoit Gaillard, director of communications for the SGB.
According to the union, longer hours, more overtime, and fewer employee protections will make workers’ lives more difficult.
Opponents: In front of the Swiss Parliament, the SGB protested in 2018 under the slogan “We stand for wages and working conditions”. Photo: ARND WIEGMANN
They also write that there have been no real wage increases in recent years.
It’s time to raise wages to improve the purchasing power of workers. Labor unions ensure increased productivity at the same time that reducing working hours benefits workers, Gillard says.
NHO: – We have to adapt
It’s interesting to see initiatives and experiences from other countries, says NHO’s Director of Work Life, Nina Milsum.
The NHO supports the committee, which is considering Norwegian pension reform, in that the minimum retirement age should rise gradually, as we live longer.
It is important for both employees and employers to change their expectations. A working-life policy should be designed so that we can, want to, and should work longer, Milsom says.
Observers: For Nina Melsom and the rest of the NHO, it is important to see measures and experiences from other countries in similar work-life situations as Norway. Photo: Martin Leigland/TV 2
They see increased flexibility through a home office as positive, as long as there are clear boundaries between work and leisure time.
However, for NHO, it would not be appropriate to work longer per day.
– Longer working days are not something NHO supports in Norway. On the other hand, we are concerned that there should be more freedom in terms of when work hours are regulated, Milsome says.
We must at all times ensure that our working time arrangements are adapted to the needs of the community.