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The second wave of corona hits the economy hard. Unemployment is on the rise, part-time work is on the rise again, and a wave of bankruptcies threatens. It is therefore not surprising that Parliament is once again digging deep into its wallet: it is supplementing the Tough Situation Fund with another 1.5 billion francs to help interested companies.
But finally there is good news for wage earners who can barely make ends meet with a short-term job! They should receive higher compensation for reduced-time work for at least four months. At 193 to 1, the National Council approved a regulation on reduced hours, according to which low wages of up to 3470 francs will be fully compensated from the beginning of December 2020 until the end of March 2021. Higher wages are reduced proportionally.
Short workers get more
This means that wages between CHF 3470 and around CHF 4340 are paid at least CHF 3470 for short-term work. Until now, with a normal salary of 3,470 francs, there were only 2,776 francs. So there are about 700 more francs in the wallet. Those who normally earn 4,000 francs now also have 3,470 instead of 3,200 francs in their pocket on part-time. Lower wages are also fully compensated.
The left and the unions fought for months to find a solution for the working poor. Although they expected a total compensation of at least 4,000 Swiss francs, they are now reasonably satisfied. “Finally, after weeks of fighting, Parliament is ready to do something for the smaller revenues,” said SP Co-head Cédric Wermuth (34) happily. “That is only a minimal commitment, but still. I am pleased that, after lengthy negotiations, the National Council has been able to support it in a practically unified way. “
SVP-Friedli proposed a compromise
Wermuth made another attempt at the national economic commission and submitted the corresponding applications. Finally, he found an important ally in SVP National Councilor Esther Friedli (43). This eventually led the decisive compromise proposal to the Economic Commission.
“I took the initiative because I see that action is necessary here,” Friedli tells BLICK. As a landlady, she herself knows well the salaries in the restaurant sector, which is currently seriously affected by the measures. “Low-income people can only earn a limited living on only 80 percent of their salary,” explains Friedli. Instead of going to welfare, I would like this income not to be drastically reduced. But I don’t want to keep all the income, just the low. “
She is pleased that “we were able to compromise with ties in the spirit of the matter.” Low-income people working short-time now would have to accept fewer losses.
Maurer organized a wake-up call
Last week, SVP federal councilor Ueli Maurer (70) organized a wake-up call among commoners. “With these measures, we are once again pocketing low-income workers in the restaurant and retail sectors who have little work,” the finance minister said at a press conference. “Low-income people who have to get by on 80 percent for a longer period of time can get under the skin.”
He called on parliament to re-analyze the problem so that “the weakest do not fall into the net.”
Council of States in mango
After the National Council, the Council of States is now on the trigger. If you also say yes to the low-wage commitment, those affected can expect a Christmas boost.
“If this decision is confirmed by the Council of States, it must be implemented very quickly. People need the money, ”says SGB chief economist Daniel Lampart (52). The unions had urged a solution from the beginning in order to reduce the “painful loss of wages of the underpaid.” “This decision is a backward step and a relief to those affected,” Lampart said.
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