The rules for working hours have been relaxed

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Should certain professional groups be allowed to work more, how and when they want? It has been seven years since the then CVP member of the Council of States, Konrad Graber (64), called for relaxation of labor law. The reason: for many employees in the modern service society, the rules are not flexible enough. Labor law prevents them from working the way they want.

The unions went on the barricades and threatened a referendum. Graber’s demand was later relaxed. They should only apply to certain sectors, to individual managers, to Sunday work and annual working hours. For example, for people who can organize their working hours more autonomously than shop assistants, machinists or nursing staff.

Economic Commission gives green light for regulation solution

After years of bickering, the social partners reached an agreement last autumn. A solution emerged through an ordinance of the Federal Council. Particularly for accountants and trustees, a more flexible distribution of working hours over the year will be possible. Relief must also be provided for employees in the IT sector.

On Tuesday, the Economic Commission (WAK-S), which is responsible for this in the Council of States, commented on the ordinance solution – and approved it after consultation. The Commission does not see all of Graber’s demands implemented with the planned amendment to the regulation, it wrote in a statement. However, she is pleased that the social partners have agreed on a solution.

«Poker with the Unions»

For FDP councilor Ruedi Noser (62), who also works in the IT industry, this is a negotiating success. “It was a game of poker with the unions. Now we have a result that is satisfactory to both parties,” he says when asked by Blick.

And yet: the fact that it took seven years to find a solution shows that flexibility in Swiss employment law needs to be reconsidered. “We have several options to respond, but it always takes too long.”

Source:Blick