Controversial plan in parliament: no more rest periods for hairdressers and cleaners?

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The plans alarmed not only the trade unions, but also many bourgeois-governed cantons. Statutory rest periods, a ban on Sunday work and overtime only in exceptional cases: all this should no longer apply to newly established companies under certain conditions. It provides for an amendment to the law that the Economic Commission of the National Council sent to the cantons, cities and associations for consultation a few months ago.

The Commission ignores criticism

The template is highly controversial, the CH Media newspapers report. But despite the broad opposition, the economic politicians in the National Council want to stick to their plans. The Commission does not want to change a word in the draft, which must be submitted to the National Council before the end of the year. She made the decision during her meeting last week.

Adrian Wüthrich (43), chairman of the Travailsuisse trade union, accuses MPs of wanting to weaken worker protection under the pretext of promoting start-ups. The Commission is misusing the subject “to further undermine labor laws,” he told CH Media.

What is a Startup?

The change plans go back to an initiative of FDP Land Council member Marcel Dobler (43). In 2016, the St. Gallen entrepreneur demanded that employees of start-ups can be exempted from employment law in the first five years after the company was founded, if they so wish. The condition is that they have an interest in the company – for example through shares. This would mean that they do not have to register their working time and are not entitled to compensation for overtime.

But how do you define a start-up? It is generally understood to mean companies that operate in an innovative business field, are often driven by technology and have little capital. However, it is not so easy to come up with a definition that can be enshrined in law.

That is why the Economic Commission wants the relaxation of labor legislation to apply equally to all companies younger than five years old. A majority of the cantons and the unions find this difficult. They warn against abuse. The governments of the cantons of Schwyz and Thurgau warn that hairdressers, cleaners or waiting staff in restaurants could be suddenly affected. Concerns are raised that mini-profit-sharing schemes or bogus schemes could be provided to employees to circumvent the Labor Act.

FDP-Dobler is open to clarification

FDP politician Dobler considers these concerns “absurd”. “If someone wants to abuse, he can do it today,” he tells Blick. On the other hand, he can understand the criticism that the definition of start-ups is too broad. Dobler emphasizes that he is really only interested in start-ups in the classic sense of the word. “It is simply a reality for them that the current regulations put unnecessary obstacles in their way.” He would be open to clarification.

The question is whether the other bourgeois parliamentarians are too. How his initiative is executed is no longer in the hands of Digitec founder Dobler. Employee representatives fear the worst. (lha)

Source:Blick