Domestic workers are not mopping up, when it comes to decent wages

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Switzerland’s household help is likely to be covered by a minimum wage contract, thanks to the Schengen Accord on the free movement of people in Europe. A committee reviewing the situation of various cross-border workers is recommending that Switzerland adopt a typical household worker contract with minimum wage, for anyone working at least five hours a week for the same employer. Babysitters, minors and family members or partners would be excluded from the coverage.

A new law would call for a contract that would set the minimum wage at CHF18.90 for workers with little experience and no training. It would rise to CHF20.90 for those with four years experience and CHF22.90 for workers with a federal training certificate.

A study done by the Work Observatory at the University of Geneva shows that most household workers are women and that salaries currently paid are well below the proposed minimum wage. It notes that while Switzerland’s black market for household labour has traditionally been about 8 percent, compared to 16 percent in France and 27 percent in Italy, the black market grew steadily in the 1990s, with very low wages and no benefits as a result. Most of the employees work part-time and are 25-54 years old.

The proposal will be put to the public in early 2010 and proposed legislation drawn up after the consultation process.

Switzerland, domestic work report Novembe 2009, pdf

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.