Seniors go on the barricades for carers

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November 28, 2021 was historic. For the first time in Switzerland’s history, a trade union initiative was approved – and it was all too clear: 61 percent of voters (and all cantons except Appenzell-Innerrhoden) said yes to the care initiative.

Because one thing is clear: to maintain the quality of care, more nurses must be trained and the conditions for them must be improved.

Working conditions are extremely stressful. Constant time pressure, short-term changes in the duty roster, constantly changing working hours with early, normal and late shifts, weekend and night shifts, overtime – all this leads to fatigue, physical complaints and burnout.

Federal law by spring 2024

The first phase of the implementation of the nursing initiative – a training offensive by the federal government and the cantons worth up to one billion Swiss francs – has already been decided.

The Bundesrat is now moving forward with the second phase – with a new federal law on working conditions in nursing that meets the requirements. The focus is on measures to improve working conditions. The corresponding federal law should be in effect in the spring of 2024.

But for some things it goes way too slow. The Swiss Association for Seniors (SVS) criticizes the Federal Council for the poor implementation of the care initiative. On Tuesday, the SVS – together with its cantonal and regional associations with about 40,000 members – called for immediate improvements in working conditions for nursing staff across Switzerland.

“Federal Council ignores the will of the people”

SVS chairman and former National Council member Rudolf Joder (72, SVP) says to Blick: “We criticize the Federal Council for poorly implementing the care initiative and thus disregarding the will of the people.” Under the Federal Constitution, the Federal Council is required to take effective measures to address the shortage of qualified nurses within 18 months of adopting the Nursing Initiative.

Together with the Zug Groene National alderman Manuela Weichelt (55), the SVS has drawn up a motion. This will be submitted during the upcoming summer session, which will take place from May 30 to June 16 in Bern. As a first step, the initiative requires the Federal Council to immediately improve working conditions for nursing staff across Switzerland.

“The implementation of the first phase in the cantons is progressing very slowly. And the second phase is also only slowly pushed forward by the Bundesrat,” says Weichelt. At the same time, the nursing staff get out. The Bundesrat and the cantons do not recognize the seriousness of the situation,” she emphasizes.

40-hour shift work week

Weichelt and the Seniorenbond therefore argue in their motion for a maximum working time of 40 hours per week for nursing staff with a 100 percent workload in shifts.

In addition, informal carers must be able to recover for at least two days after a five-day work block. After five night shifts in a row, they must have at least three days off. Furthermore, no more than 50 overtime hours per quarter may be worked for the staff and a maximum of 30 percent of the working time may be spent on administrative work.

Less security of supply – higher premiums

“With the motion we want to exert political pressure on the Federal Council to finally take action. He could – on the basis of labor law – decide directly on such measures,” says Joder. The legal basis for the terms and conditions of employment of nursing staff must also be amended, depending on demand, within six months of the motion being accepted.

According to Joder, the hesitation of the Bundesrat ensures that the bloodletting from the nursing professions is unstoppable and the shortage of nursing staff is increasing. “As a result, beds, entire departments or hospitals have to close. The most affected are the elderly. They form the largest group of patients in hospitals, homes and at Spitex.” The security of supply and the quality of care would be continuously reduced – all with rising health insurance premiums.

Source:Blick