Swiss Builders Association: 4th LMV Negotiation Round: Positive Talks at the Negotiation Table

The contract draft of the builders proposes a modern, practical set of rules with clear minimum standards that can also be effectively enforced. Key elements include:

- Automatic annual adjustment of minimum wages to inflation. The builders remain committed to the highest minimum wages in Europe!

- No change in the annual working hours: 2112 hours, averaging 40.5 hours per week over a five-day week.

- In special cases, such as weather-related interruptions, working on a limited number of Saturdays without additional pay should be allowed. If possible, other Saturdays could still be compensated as before.

- Extended flexitime account with clearly defined upper and lower limits. Employees can also compensate these flexible hours in the form of time off.

- Possibility for long-term accounts, for instance for further training or family commitments.

- Early communication of company holidays and bridging days.

- Review of the notice periods for older employees to prevent hindrances in their reintegration into the labor market.

- On the SBV's suggestion, the alignment of dismissal protection in case of illness and accident to the rules of the Swiss Code of Obligations is being technically reviewed by the unions because the previous solution could negatively impact employees: The daily allowance solution according to the Insurance Contracts Act ensures that an allowance is paid during illness beyond the end of the employment relationship.

- Simpler handling of allowances for work in water and mud, as these tasks have become significantly less burdensome thanks to machinery, better planning, and protective equipment.

- Adjustments to wage deductions to better retain new professionals in the sector.

- The combination of daily travel time with a credit to the flexible hours balance, as well as a practical SME-friendly solution, are being further discussed with the unions.

The SBV is firmly committed to ensuring that the new NMV guarantees effective enforcement of minimum standards and strengthens education and training. Funds collected for this purpose should consistently be used as such.

A practical contract enables protection against wage dumping and modern working conditions.

The new contract establishes modern, practical working conditions with clear minimum standards that can also be effectively implemented. It focuses on the consistent enforcement of the most important and clearly understandable standards rather than numerous articles. Only in this way can wage dumping and illegal work be effectively combated. Furthermore, it allows more flexibility in working hours arrangements, such as the possibility of long-term accounts that can be compensated with time off. The current NMV does not provide for compensation over a longer period.

The NMV negotiations are ongoing. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for October 28, 2025.

Press Contact:
Jacqueline Theiler, Head of Communications
Tel: +41 58 360 76 42, jacqueline.theiler@baumeister.ch

Matthias Engel, Media Spokesperson
Tel: +41 58 360 76 35, matthias.engel@baumeister.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher.