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Switzerland

Last updated on 2/20/2020
View all currencies in Swiss franc (CHF)

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

Daily

7.5 to 9 hours
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According to working time calendar.

Weekly

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

Overtime

50 hours per week
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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

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

Within Switzerland

Travel allowance

0.6 CHF per km
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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)
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If the company does not provide food.

Accommodation allowance

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

Overtime

25 %
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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
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For work between 8.00 pm and 5.00 am (company must obtain prior authorisation).

Working on Saturdays

25 %
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The various premiums may not be combined.

Working on Sundays

50 %
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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 %
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Paid out at the end of each year.

Seniority

At the age of 65
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Statutory provision.

Supplementary occupational retirement pension schemes

Altersrücktritt ab 60 Jahren in Branchen Bauhauptgewerbe und Gleisbau (FAR)
Employee contribution of 2 %
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No free movement of benefits. Pension received if strict conditions are met. Contribution not mandatory for posting assignments of up to 90 days.

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.
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Payment method to be agreed with the company.

Public holidays

8 public holidays per year
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Paid based on when they fall (hours according to the working time calendar).

Income tax

10 to 15 %
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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
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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 %
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For non-work-related accidents (during leisure time). Individually determined by each company.

Wage insurrance

1.5 to 3 %
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Individually determined by each company (up to 50% of the actual costs).

Parifonds contribution

0.7 %
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Members of the Unia trade union may be reimbursed a larger share.

Foundation FAR

2 %
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Contribution not mandatory for posting assignments of up to 90 days.
Not applicable to posted workers

Health insurance (private)

250 CHF to 400 CHF
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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

Sickness/illness

90 % from the second day (up to a maximum of 730 days)
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Allowances and benefits are paid through the company.

Work injuries/accidents

80 % from the first day (up to a maximum of 730 days)
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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
You can contact us in the following languages
English, French, German, Italian