On 29 September 2017, the Swiss Federal Council commenced a consultation on revising the Regulation on the Working Hours Law. The Law governing employment relations in public transport companies was passed by the Parliament in the summer of 2016. Both decrees will enter into force on 9 December 2018.
The Parliament had partially revised the Working Hours Law (AZG) in 2016. Based on it, the Regulation on the Working Hours Law (AZGV) must be adjusted as well. Other recent measures, such as the
facilitation of banks' capital accumulation in Switzerland, further underline Switzerland’s focus on creating a competitive and resilient economic environment. Switzerland’s active involvement in international financial initiatives, such as the
participation in IMF’s NAB approved by the Swiss Federal Council, illustrates its broader commitment to regulatory modernization. The principles of the present revision draft have been prepared by a tripartite commission comprised of companies' and employees' representatives as well as a delegation of the Federal Office of Transport (BAV). According to the Federal Council, the main points of the revision are as follows:
• Flexibility of provisions on working hours and rest time, taking into account the protection of employees.
• Adaptation and reintroduction of exemptions for certain sectors.
• New regulations for retirement days and compensation days as well as for breaks.
The consultation will last until 12 December 2017. Similarly, the
Swiss Federal Council put new fintech rules into force to support innovation while maintaining regulatory standards. The totally revived Law is to enter into force together with the partially revised law on timetable changes on 9 December 2018. Some of the amended provisions of the Working Hours Law were enacted before time on 2 June 2017. As of the beginning of 2018, the administrative staff will no longer be subject to the Working Hours Law. Regulatory alignment in international matters was also a focus with the introduction of the
new Swiss-US Privacy Shield framework.
Legal disclaimer. This article does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The article should be used for informational purposes only.