Bilaterals III: Swissmem welcomes decision on negotiating position

Martin Hirzel, President of Swissmem, is pleased: "The time is ripe for Bilaterals III. Companies in the technology industry now rapidly need legal certainty regarding market access, the recruitment of skilled workers and the Horizon Europe research programme. An electricity agreement is also within reach. Swissmem is also supporting the Federal Council with its own campaign." 

Swissmem is launching a social media and online campaign for Bilaterals III today: You can find the clips “Everything needs a service. Even the bilateral agreements” and further information at www.swissmem.ch/en/issues/policy/bilaterals-iii.html

55% of exports to EU countries 

The EU market is by far the most important for the technology industry, accounting for 55% of exports. The erosion of the bilateral approach damages the sector and its approximately 330,000 employees and 20,000 apprentices. These companies are reliant on virtually unobstructed access to the vast European single market, the recruitment of specialist staff and participation in research and innovation projects such as Horizon and Copernicus, as well as an electricity agreement to ensure security of supply and network stability. 

No further interventions in the flexible labour market! 

With technical improvements in the implementation of the accompanying measures, the current level of wage protection can be secured — and even optimized thanks to digitalization. Swissmem is strongly opposed to additional interventions in the flexible labour market such as easing the general applicability of collective employment agreements or national minimum wages. These are unnecessary and weaken the companies’ competitiveness.