Canton Of Valais Identifies Poor Wages Paid By Lift Co's

During a general inspection of the wages paid by the Valais mountain railways [the lift companies], the tripartite cantonal commission found cases of wage dumping. The Department of Economics and Education (DVB) and the Department of Health, Social Affairs and Culture (DGSK) are informed of this situation and will take all necessary measures to ensure a healthy and balanced labor market in the industry.

In June 2021, the cantonal tripartite commission commissioned the Office for Employee Protection and Employment (DAA) to carry out wage controls in the area of ​​mountain railways. To this end, as a first step, the DAA sent a questionnaire to the companies concerned, which cooperated well, before beginning the analyzes and in-depth exchanges with the directorates. The first results were delivered to the Commission office and then presented to the heads of the departments concerned, ie Christophe Darbellay for the DVB and Mathias Reynard for the DGSK, and to the parties.

Between 2018 and 2021, the checks carried out revealed that 36% of the wages recorded in the sector were below the wages provided for in the applicable standard employment contract (NAV). Of the 53 companies examined, 39 paid some of their employees below the minimum wage specified in the NAV. While not legally binding, this may present a situation of abusive and repeated undercutting. The DAA will therefore initiate an arbitration procedure. The companies are informed of their results. Those found to be undercutting will be asked to bring their wages up to industry standards.

The discrepancies found are intolerable and the sector must strive to rectify the situation. The mountain railways, as the backbone of Valais tourism, must assume their social responsibility in an exemplary manner. To this end, the heads of department are calling on the social partners in this area to agree on a mutually beneficial solution as part of the ongoing negotiations on a new NAV.

The Tripartite Commission and the State of Valais are considering making minimum wages binding in the industry. This mechanism, anchored in federal law, should ensure a fair and sustainable labor market in the industry in the future.