Wage demands 2025: securing purchasing power means securing livelihoods

"Can I cover my living costs?" is a question that many people in Switzerland now have to ask themselves. The modest wage increases in recent years barely compensate for the rising cost of living. The Swiss Commercial Association is therefore calling for up to five percent more pay. Its demand is made up as follows:

The cumulative catch-up effects apply to those companies that have not granted their employees the full cost-of-living adjustment in recent years. Although each company's situation must be considered individually, the Swiss Commercial Association is firmly convinced that the low-wage sectors must not be an exception. It is precisely there that a further loss of real wages must be avoided at all costs. In the overall economic context, a real wage increase of 0.5 percent is essential in order to strengthen purchasing power.

 No more paving policy

"Unfortunately, many negotiating partners rely on shopping vouchers, one-off payments or individual wage adjustments - instead of a sustainable wage policy," explains Michel Lang, Head of Social Partnership at the Swiss Commercial Association. However, this plaster policy does not solve the problem of the loss of purchasing power, it only cements it. "Companies benefit from increased employee productivity and make profits. While the employees on their side have to struggle with rising costs and suffer a loss of purchasing power," explains Lang.

In addition, the pent-up demand increases in subsequent years, which is then held against the employee associations and trade unions when they demand wages in the amount of the cumulative percentages. "A sustainable wage policy by all employers would prevent such a negative wage policy," Lang is convinced.

Basics for individual wage negotiations now available free of charge

Due to the urgency of the issue, the Swiss Commercial Association has decided to make its "Wage recommendations" guide available to all interested parties to download free of charge. The guide provides employees with the basis for realistic salary demands. It is aimed at people who work in the commercial and business management sector as well as in the retail trade. At the same time, the free information sheet "The salary discussion" provides important tips for preparing and conducting individual salary negotiations.

Investment in the employability of employees

As early as 2022, the Swiss Commercial Association called for companies to invest more resources in the employability of their employees in order to better equip them for the future. With the widespread availability of artificial intelligence, digital skills are becoming increasingly important. "We will only be able to maintain our level of prosperity in Switzerland if the employability of our employees is strengthened and they are equipped for the future requirements of the world of work," said Lang.

For the Swiss Commercial Association as a competence center for education and careers, strengthening employability and the principle of lifelong learning are key concerns: "Targeted training and further education can improve career and salary prospects. Companies also benefit from a clear competitive advantage if they enable their employees to acquire new skills," explains Lang.

Source: www.kfmv.ch