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Switzerland

Last updated on 2/20/2020

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Info Salary

Minimum gross wage

There is no national statutory minimum wage.

Salary per category

Construction worker without experience (Wage class C)

25.95 CHF to 26.75 CHF

Construction worker with experience (Wage class B)

29.2 CHF to 29.95 CHF

Trainee with construction-specific course visits (wage class A)

30.85 CHF to 31.7 CHF

Qualified with apprenticeship in construction (wage class Q)

32.05 CHF to 32.9 CHF

Foreman (wage class V)

34 CHF to 36.9 CHF

Info Working time

Daily

7.5 to 9 hours

Info

According to working time calendar.

Weekly

40.5 hours

Info

Annual total hours: 2,112 (52.14 weeks of 40.5 hours on average).

Overtime

50 hours per week

Info

A premium must be paid at the end of the following month to compensate for all hours worked in excess of 48 hours a week.

Breaks

15 minutes

60 minutes

Travel time

Info

Although workers are compensated for travel time (minus 30 minutes a day) in their basic wage, travel time does not count as working time.

Info Travel abroad and lodging

Within Switzerland

Travel allowance

0.6 CHF per km

Info

Travel costs are only reimbursed if the company has explicitly instructed that a private vehicle be used.
The company must cover the cost of posted workers’ travel to Switzerland.

Meal allowance

16 CHF (higher in a few cantons)

Info

If the company does not provide food.

Accommodation allowance

Info

While the company must cover the costs of accommodation and meals, there are no guidelines on the matter.

Info Premiums

Overtime

25 %

Info

A premium is paid for all hours worked in excess of 48 hours per week. 25 new and 100 hours of overtime in all can be carried over at the end of each month (a premium must be paid immediately for all hours in excess of this).
At the end of April, a premium is paid for all remaining overtime.

Night work

Temporary

At least 25 % per hour

Permanent

2 CHF per hour

Info

For work between 8.00 pm and 5.00 am (company must obtain prior authorisation).

Working on Saturdays

25 %

Info

The various premiums may not be combined.

Working on Sundays

50 %

Info

For work between 5.00 pm on Saturday and 5.00 am on Monday (company must obtain prior authorisation).

Shift work

Time bonus of 20 minutes per shift

Or 1 CHF per hour

Annual holidays allowance

10.6 % 5 weeks

13 % 6 weeks up to and including the age of 20, and above the age of 50.

13th month

8.3 %

Info

Paid out at the end of each year.

Seniority

At the age of 65

Info

Statutory provision.

Supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes

Altersrücktritt ab 60 Jahren in Branchen Bauhauptgewerbe und Gleisbau (FAR)

Employee contribution of 2 %

Info

No free movement of benefits. Pension received if strict conditions are met. Contribution not mandatory for posting assignments of up to 90 days.

Info Holidays

Number of holidays

5 weeks from the age of 20 to the age of 50.

6 weeks up to and including the age of 20, and above 50.

Info

Payment method to be agreed with the company.

Public holidays

8 public holidays per year

Info

Paid based on when they fall (hours according to the working time calendar).

Info Wage deductions

Income tax

10 to 15 %

Info

Taxes are only deducted at source for foreign workers with temporary or no residence permits. All others pay the taxes in arrears.

Additional pension funds

300 CHF to 700 CHF

Info

Individually determined by each company (only payable after 90 days of employment).

For posted workers

Partly applicable

Pension, invalidity

5.125 %

Unemployment

1.1 %

Accident insurance

1.5 to 3 %

Info

For non-work-related accidents (during leisure time). Individually determined by each company.

Wage insurrance

1.5 to 3 %

Info

Individually determined by each company (up to 50% of the actual costs).

Parifonds contribution

0.7 %

Info

Members of the Unia trade union may be reimbursed a larger share.

Foundation FAR

2 %

Info

Contribution not mandatory for posting assignments of up to 90 days.

Not applicable to posted workers

Health insurance (private)

250 CHF to 400 CHF

Info

Insurance cover must be taken out with a private insurer (see www.comparis.ch). EU/EFTA workers: exemption from compulsory insurance for posting assignments of up to 24 months upon presentation of an A1 certificate.

For posted workers

Partly applicable

Info Sickness and injuries

Sickness/illness

90 % from the second day (up to a maximum of 730 days)

Info

Allowances and benefits are paid through the company.

Work injuries/accidents

80 % from the first day (up to a maximum of 730 days)

Info

Allowances and benefits are paid through the company.

Info Contacts

Unia Trade Union

Weltpoststrasse 20
Postfach 272
3000 Bern 15

Tel. +41 31 350 22 72

W. https://www.unia.ch

E. bau@unia.ch

You can contact us in the following languages

English, French, German, Italian

Info Links

This website provides concise information on wages, working conditions and rights of construction workers for all the European Countries in all the European languages. Construction workers can find useful links and contacts of trade unions representatives ready to help and support them in case of need.

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