Interview Fabio Reggazi | 24 hours

– “We will give more importance to future treaties with the EU, which are essential for many SMEs”

President of the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts, Ticino State Councilor Fabio Regazzi announces that the USAM is considering greater openness towards the EU and offers to make compromises. Enough to fuel discussions at the biennial congress which is being held in Bern next Tuesday, in the presence of Federal Councilor Albert Rösti. Hunter, Fabio Regazzi also campaigns for the culling of 90% of wolves in Switzerland.

Mr Regazzi, will USAM maintain its provocative attitude after the departure of director Hans-Ulrich Bigler?

We will remain firm on the merits. I assume that the new director, Urs Furrer, who arrives in May, will set his own priorities.

A change of course in sight for USAM?

Yes, even if there are still critical points in the European file. In the future, we will place more importance on future treaties with the EU, as they are essential for many SMEs.

That’s to say?

We too often forget that, in addition to large groups, some 40% of SMEs work on exports. If we let old agreements with the EU weaken instead of renewing them, exports to the EU will become increasingly complicated.

Many people are criticizing the government’s new approach. Will USAM accept the package of agreements that the Federal Council is currently negotiating in Brussels?

Yes, I am confident. I think the chances of obtaining new European treaties are intact. Still, in the end it is the people who will decide.

However, many SMEs are worried about seeing foreign companies practicing wage dumping in Switzerland once the new European agreements have been signed. Do you deny the legitimacy of this concern?

No. If wages are no longer sufficiently protected in Switzerland, there is indeed a risk of wage dumping. And we want to avoid it at all costs. Thus, the USAM will only give its agreement if salary protection is 100% guaranteed. Otherwise, EU companies employing low-cost workers will displace, for example, Swiss kitchen designers or construction companies.

How to solve this problem? EU regulations on fees would seriously disadvantage local businesses. The EU is unlikely to grant Switzerland preferential treatment when it comes to expense reports.

We’ll see. I remind you that the regulation of fees is also very controversial among EU member states. However, we are fully prepared to consider compromises on other points, as long as wage protection is not threatened: a reduction in the prior announcement period for example, which concerns companies fulfilling orders in Switzerland , is completely negotiable. Indeed, with modern digital means, it is possible to control companies from abroad in a shorter period of time.

Is salary protection really the only point that USAM still criticizes in the ongoing negotiations with the EU?

There are of course other points. We are therefore unhappy that the European Court of Justice continues to play a role in settling disputes between Switzerland and the EU. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to avoid it entirely. We will therefore have to, to some extent, seek common ground. We must also be sure that EU citizens do not undermine social security at home thanks to the new EU treaties. However, we no longer have any objections in principle to these points of future agreements.

To what extent does the industry depend on skilled labor from the European Union?

I am very worried about this. I think that we certainly lack qualified personnel, but especially labor in general. I experience it within my company. For months, we have been looking for an accountant. You have no idea how difficult it is. Fortunately, in Ticino we also have the possibility to search across the border, in Italy.

However, in Ticino, the large number of cross-border workers irritates many people.

It’s true. These people do not want to see that, without cross-border workers, our canton would experience great difficulties. Certain sectors such as construction, hospitals and retirement homes could close. And I think the employment problems will become more serious from now on.

The wolf is another current challenge. You are a hunter. Did you go wolf hunting?

In Ticino, until now, game wardens have been responsible for regulation. Hunters are not affected. If that were to change, I would sign up.

For what?

Because the situation has gotten out of control. In mountain regions, wolves now cause a lot of problems. The protective measures that farmers are forced to take are disproportionate. Federal Councilor Albert Rösti’s decision to shoot some wolves is a step in the right direction. But I would have gone even further.

How far? Albert Rösti was however strongly criticized.

He should have expected this as a federal councilor. To be provocative: we don’t need wolves in Switzerland. I am aware that this is not feasible. But 300 wolves like today is, once and for all, far too many. Twenty to 30 animals would be enough. It should be allowed to tear down everything else.

It’s very extremist.

No, we need more wolf-free zones. I am clearly on the side of the mountain farmers on the issue. In my opinion, farmers contribute more to biodiversity than wolves.

As president of the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts, you seem to be less aggressive than on the wolf question. Why is that?

To me, hunting is a personal affair. At USAM, I cannot be a hard-liner because I must take into account the plurality of opinions of our members.