A new federal law, currently under discussion, could prohibit cantons from introducing a minimum wage if collective labor agreements are already in place. The cantons criticize the Confederation for interfering in their prerogatives.
At its core, a minimum wage is the right of workers to be paid a decent wage. In recent years, cantons such as Neuchâtel, Geneva and Jura have already included this principle in their laws. The city of Zurich has also followed this trend.
The generosity of these minimum remuneration depends on the cantonal authorities. For example, in Geneva, the hourly wage is 24 francs 32, which is higher than anywhere else, in Neuchâtel it is 21 francs 09, in Jura it is 20 francs 60.
But today, the Confederation is faced with a major challenge: it must redefine the competence of the cantons. Because according to Obwalden senator Erich Ettlin, if collective labor agreements exist, they should take precedence over the minimum wage in force. This idea does not appeal to either the unions or the majority of the cantons consulted. With the exception of Obwalden, everyone expresses their dissatisfaction with this proposal.
Federal interference denounced
The cantons criticize the Confederation for interfering in their prerogatives, explained Monday on 7:30 p.m. Jacques Gerber, Jura minister and vice-president of the Conference of cantonal directors of the economy.
“It is an interference, particularly in matters of law, to enforce an agreement between private entities, including unions. This is done to the detriment of discussions and political debates within cantonal parliaments and even popular votes” , did he declare.
The power of the cantons in federalism
But can the Confederation cancel a popular vote? Despite federalism, the decision-making power of the cantons is not an absolute right, according to Benjamin Roduit, national advisor to the Center, who voted in 2022 with a large part of the right for the ban on minimum wages.
“It is not up to a population, at a given moment and within the restricted framework of a single canton, such as Neuchâtel, to decide on a minimum salary and wait for the conventions to adapt. No, this This is not how things work. It is throughout the territory that we must respect industrial peace and social partnership,” said the Valaisan.
TV subject: Thierry Clémence
Web adaptation: Miroslav Mares
#Swiss
