Employers' Day 2023: Severin Moser takes over presidency

"For a twelfth and final time, I have the honor of sharing with you my assessment of where employers stand." With these words, outgoing President Valentin Vogt welcomed the guests at the Swiss Employers' Association (SAV) Employers' Day 2023. In his speech, Valentin Vogt looked back on the challenging year: at the national level, employers were preoccupied with the accentuated shortage of skilled workers, and at the international level, the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Employers were also able to celebrate successes last year: the adoption of AHV21, for example, overcame a reform backlog that had lasted almost 25 years.

Progress, but increasing government intervention

The progress made in the talks between Switzerland and the EU on the further development of the bilateral path is also encouraging. In particular with regard to state aid, the EU citizenship directive and the accompanying measures, the vast majority of open points have been clarified. Valentin Vogt called on the Federal Council to negotiate a new treaty package by summer 2024 at the latest.

At the end of his term of office, Valentin Vogt took stock of the last 12 years at the helm of the SAV. "We had to expend a lot of energy and do a lot of convincing to ensure that our framework conditions did not deteriorate," Vogt summed up. As a businessman, he would have liked to see an improvement in the framework conditions during his term of office. But that was impossible to achieve in the political environment, in which the National Council has slid sharply to the left politically. It would not be easy to maintain prosperity. The liberal model, which relies on individual responsibility, and the federalist structures were increasingly under threat. The many crises have led to the state spreading out and becoming more and more intrusive, he said, which is a dangerous development. "This is where we as employers must put a stop," Vogt warned.

Severin Moser takes over the presidency

Prior to the Public Employers' Day, the annual general meeting was held. Severin Moser was unanimously elected as the new president. Severin Moser will be the 14th president to lead the prestigious top business association in its 115 years of existence. "I am following in big footsteps here and now, looking back at the eventful history of the association and especially also at the last successful twelve years under the leadership of my predecessor," Moser explained. Certain circles want to regulate the economy and the labor market more and more, Moser warned. They would prefer to introduce nationwide minimum wages and greatly expanded protection against dismissal. Or a government-mandated four-day workweek. "Our companies can only distribute what has been earned. Earned in national or international competition." As a small country with few natural resources, Switzerland is particularly dependent on a high level of international competitiveness.

Vice President Jean-Marc Probst thanked Valentin Vogt on behalf of the SAV for his work as President over the past twelve years. Since Valentin Vogt joined the SAV in 2011, the SAV has not only developed further, but also gained significantly in influence and clout, as Director Roland A. Müller explained. Today, the SAV is very well positioned in terms of strategy, personnel and finances.

More than 200 guests from business, politics and administration attended the Employers' Day 2023. Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, Head of the Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport, spoke about how the changed security situation in Europe affects Swiss security policy. The compatibility of careers in the private sector and the armed forces was also a topic.

Source: Swiss Employers' Association