Switzerland: Is the cantonal minimum wage really respected?

While the debate on Cantonal minimum wages Rage in Bern. Similarly, we looked at their concrete implementation where they are in force.

In French -speaking Switzerland. Furthermore, the cantons of Genevaof Neuchâtel And from the Jura have adopted a minimum wage, which evolves each year and which may depend on the activity branch. Furthermore, But this obligation is not respected by all employers, as we have seen.

“I need money” – Switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really

“I know that I am not paid at the minimum wage. Consequently, but I need money,” says Nolan*, who has been working for three years as a delivery man for a pizzeria in a small Neuchâtel village. However, With his 17 switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really francs per hour, he touches an income much lower than 21 fr. Therefore, 31 fixed by the Neuchâtel Council of State for 2025.

In Geneva. However, Julio* works in a bar in the vives, where he earns only 22 francs per hour, while the cantonal minimum wage is currently 24 fr. For example, 48 of the hour. However, The server also does not receive any financial compensation for his working hours on evenings. For example, holidays, contrary to what the law requires. In addition, His employer mainly hires young adults.

Survive in a sector in crisis – Switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really

“Some of my colleagues must combine several small jobs to get out of it. However, ” says the young man.

If the salary is too low, the tasks are demanding both from the switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really physical and mental point. Furthermore, Between the preparation of drinks and dishes and the service, Julio must regularly manage drunk customers and their inadequate behaviors. Nevertheless, His employer remaining deaf to his attempts at dialogue, he now thinks of resigning.

In French -speaking Switzerland, restaurateurs are struggling to complete their month, and the employees suffer. Nevertheless, Nolan is aware of it: “I know that if my boss does not pay me more. In addition, it is because he cannot,” says the delivery man.

Difficulties which have echoed Jean*. Nevertheless, restaurateur for almost three decades and manager of an establishment in Geneva: “It is a battered profession. The rents are very expensive and the increase in electricity costs impacts the entire supply chain. ”

Taken in noise between the increase switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really in charges. the fear of scaring out customers, many end up passing the financial pressure on their staff. Jean says he has never been controlled on compliance with the minimum wage.

A new legal framework

Newcomer to Swiss territory, the minimum wage is only in force in five Swiss cantons. It is in that of Neuchâtel, pioneer in the matterthat it was first introduced in 2017. Then, it was adopted in the Jura in 2018, in Geneva in 2020, in Ticino in 2021 and in Basel-city in 2022. In each canton, the Council of State determines the minimum wage according to the cost of living.

Professor of labor law at the University of Geneva. Karine Lempen explains: “Each canton has its own legislation, its own control and sanction bodies.” In Neuchâtel, for example, when switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really the competent office finds an offense, the first step is to try a conciliation. If this does not work. the Tipartite Commission of the canton can intervene, with the final appeal of the public prosecutor.

“The cases brought to justice mainly concern the financial penalties imposed on employers by the cantonal control authorities. ” says Karine Lempen. There are few complaints from employees. ”

More than 20% of controlled employers do not respect the rules in Neuchâtel

In the canton of Neuchâtel. more than one in five controlled employer did not properly pay his employees in 2024. These figures, revealed by The tripartite commission report On the minimum wage, reflect a clear increase compared to previous years. Among the 25 offender companies, three came from the catering and accommodation sector, or 12%.

Despite relatively high figures, the authorities want to be reassuring. According to them. the controls carried out, the duty of reimbursement and the potential criminal sanctions are sufficient to have a deterrent effect. They consider that the current control staff “fulfills its role of advice. supervision in view of limited offenses over all seven years of observation”.

Officials of the file add that offenses are linked to “the ignorance of certain employers. who are not necessarily supported by professional associations and who have not seized the subtleties of calculation and application of the minimum wage”. They also believe that their recent increase probably stems from “the greatest variety of controlled areas compared to previous years”.

The Office of Relations and Working Conditions (OrcT) monitors the wages in force within companies. According switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really to denunciations, complaints, external information and labor market observations.

Following these interventions, several conciliations took place between employers and workers: 54,000 francs were thus reimbursed to 79 injured employees. According to the Commission, most of the offenders paid wages due from the authorities’ first warning for the year 2024.

In Geneva. salary abuses can cost dearly

In Geneva, where the regulations on the minimum wage also fall under cantonal skillsfunctioning differs from that of Neuchâtel. Published reports are also less detailed regarding the offenses noted.

According to the Cantonal Inspectorate. Labor Relations Office (OCIRT), when a company is in violation, priority is to obtain a compliance, in particular by the catching up of wages due. Most employers submit to it. Some, however, prefer to go directly to the switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really fine, more heavy, in the absence of regularization. It can reach 30,000 francs, or even double in the event of recurrence. Still others dispute, without success to date, the decisions of the inspection until the Federal Court.

Abusive courses

Among the current offenses committed by employers to bypass the regulations on the minimum wage. the labor inspectorate notes many cases of internships which do not meet the exemption criteria provided for by law, and which are abusive. Among them. so -called “training” internships which are not linked to any recognized institution and for which no educational objective is set.

The OCIRT also launched its first office of automatic controls in sectors where. remuneration is mainly based on the collection of commissions. This type of control. conducted on the initiative of the Office on the basis switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really of a risk analysis, partly explains a high rate of offenses noted – near one in two companies. The inspections can be launched for various reasons. complaints and denunciations frequently leading to the discovery of a fault of the employer.

According to our information, a particular sector of activity is problematic: that of insurance broker.

Brokers under reinforced control

Milo*, former broker, will not say the opposite. In the case of the young man. no monthly income was guaranteed: if he could not convince customers to opt for the assurance he offered, he won nothing. Because the profession is often based on remuneration made up of commissions, without fixed income – which creates immense pressure.

“I was a student. If I had had a family, charges, I would have switzerland: cantonal minimum wage really hated this work, ”says the young man. He adds that regular employees and constant stress make the profession unstable and difficult.

He also says that young recruits. strongly encouraged to exploit those around them to sign contracts, had to quickly achieve objectives, under penalty of being dismissed during the first two months.

“At first, we think we can make a lot of money,” he says. But once we have exhausted our entire network, then the task gets complicated. Those who have made significant financial commitments find themselves mowed. ”

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