The liberal labour market has been pivotal to the relatively low level of unemployment which has prevailed in Switzerland for decades. It allows businesses to respond to changes flexibly and in line with market conditions. This bolsters the ability of industrial companies in Switzerland to compete at international level. On these grounds, the liberal labour market must be preserved.

To offset this, a functioning social security network is needed. The aim of this is to guarantee protection against financial losses in the event of death, disability, old age, accident, illness or unemployment.

A healthy balance between liberal labour market and welfare state is pivotal. Swissmem is campaigning for the existing social welfare institutions to be put on a healthy footing for the long term. At the same time, Swissmem is resolutely fighting against restrictive and costly labour market regulations. In addition, it feels that a further expansion in the welfare state is worth considering if this can be achieved in a cost-neutral manner.