Tripartite committee

The agreement also partially liberalised cross-border service provision. In order to protect domestic and foreign employees against unfair wage and working conditions and to guarantee fair competition, so-called accompanying measures were adopted parallel to the introduction of the free movement of persons.

Various actors are entrusted with the implementation of these accompanying measures. In sectors which are subject to generally applicable collective employment contract (ave GAV), the joint commissions (PK) monitor compliance with the minimum wage and working conditions. In sectors without a generally binding GAV, the cantonal Tripartite committee (TPK) monitor compliance with standard local and sector wage and working conditions.

The Tripartite committee on labour conditions comprises interest groups representing employees, employers and public authorities. The Commission is chaired by Nicole Hostettler, Head of Office of Economy and Labour, as President, and Michael Mauerhofer, Head of Working Conditions, as Secretary.

Among other things, the TPK monitors the labour market and receives reports of wage dumping. If it finds out about unfair treatment, it initiates an investigation. In case of wage dumping, it can

• try to reach an agreement with employers, who practice wage dumping, regarding compliance with local standard wages and wages customary to the job (agreement procedure)
• request the Cantonal Government to declare a collective employment contract (GAV) as generally applicable
• request the Cantonal Government to issue a standard employment contract (NAV)