Swiss Unions Demand Wage Increases Of Up To 2.5% For 2026

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions is calling for general pay raises of between 2% and 2.5% by 2026. These are needed to offset the rise in the cost of living and make up for the wage shortfall of recent years, said the umbrella organisation. This content was published on September 4, 2025 - 10:09 2 minutes Keystone-SDA

• Français fr L'USS exige des hausses de salaires de 2% à 2,5% pour 2026 Original Read more: L'USS exige des hausses de salaires de 2% à 2,5% pour 202

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While productivity has risen by 11% over the last ten years, real wages have stagnated. In many areas, workers' purchasing power is barely higher than it was in 2015, or is even lower, the trade unions said on Thursday. There is therefore a need to catch up, it argued.

In addition, the federation said, health insurance premiums and rents continue to put a strain on household budgets, even though inflation has fallen, the union added.

More More How inflation and global uncertainty affect Swiss wages

This content was published on Apr 25, 2025 For the first time in three years, Swiss workers can buy more consumer goods with their pay increases.

Read more: How inflation and global uncertainty affect Swiss wage

According to the trade association, businesses can on the whole withstand the requested increases. While the 39% tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump and the strong Swiss franc represent a burden for the industries concerned, the federation pointed out that 99% of the working population is not, or is only marginally, affected by the US tariffs.

Translated from French with DeepL/gw

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