Low paid jobs are particularly affected by the minimum wage
Keystone-SDA
Swiss trade unions and political parties have launched a referendum to challenge parliamentary measures that would override cantonal minimum wages.
The people’s initiative committee said parliament’s decision constitutes an attack on wages and referendums.
The parliamentary decision allows sector-wide collective labour agreements to take precedence over minimum wages set by cantons or municipalities.
+ Swiss cantons push on with minimum wage despite national setback
According to the initiative campaigners, this would particularly affect low-wage sectors such as the hospitality industry and the cleaning sector.
The committee also criticises the parliamentary decision as an attack on women’s wages, as almost two-thirds of those affected are women. It also argues that democratic decisions by cantons and municipalities would be ignored.
“In cantons and towns that have decided on a minimum wage but have not yet introduced it, tens of thousands of people would never benefit from it,” said Unia President Vania Alleva in a press release.
The government also rejects the parliamentary bill, arguing that it conflicts with the cantons’ constitutional power to set minimum wages.
Translated from German, sub-edited by mga
