One in five Swiss employers found to underpay workers; government wants to simplify divorce proceedings for children’s sake; and other news in our Tuesday roundup.
Almost one in five Swiss companies found underpaying their employees
“Wherever checks are carried out, violations are discovered,” the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB) said in a press release on Friday, adding that wages are found to be “insufficient in many cantons.”
This assessment is based on inspections of nearly 140,000 salaries carried out in 2024, the SBG noted.
Even in sectors with collective labour agreements (CLA), “31 percent of the companies inspected” were found to pay insufficient wages; and in sectors without a CLA, some cantons have set criteria that were too low for the wages customary in the location or sector, the SGB said.
However, Geneva and Ticino are notable exceptions because “these two cantons have scrupulously implemented” salary regulations.
Government wants to simplify separation and divorce procedures for the sake of children
In a report published on Friday, the Federal Council proposes to simplify procedures in cases of separation or divorce involving children.
The objective is to resolve disputes between parents quicker than has been done in the past.
Currently, the jurisdiction for family law in Switzerland is shared between civil courts and child protection services but, according to the Federal Council, “this division is now considered obsolete.”
Instead, the government wants to defuse family conflicts and streamline procedures with the help of psychologists and social workers to “ensure the best interests of the child.”
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Vaud seeks to combat housing shortage and rising rents
To accomplish this objective, the canton presented a wide-ranging list of measures to be introduced in the eight out of 10 districts in Vaud which are experiencing a shortage of vacant apartments — including Lausanne.
“Today, the problem lies in the fact that procedures based on the law are being short-circuited by referendums based on the public’s feelings,” the report states.
The canton’s goal is to reverse this “trend of distrust” toward much-needed new construction projects.
However, it is also considering limiting the possibility of holding anti-construction referendums at the municipal level.
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Summer weather is here, at last
After last week’s thunderstorms, and mostly wet Pentecost weekend, the summer weather in Switzerland begins today.
There will be plenty of sunshine pretty much everywhere in the country, with temperatures ranging from mid 20s all the way up to 30C.
And it looks line this mostly sunny and hot weather will last at least for the next 10 days.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
