The Swiss Trade Union Federation has called for general salary increases of between two and three per cent for its members from next year.

At a news conference in Bern, the federation said this would compensate for the rise in the cost of living and productivity gains achieved by employees. It would amount to at least SFr150 ($143) for most sectors.

The federation’s president, Paul Rechsteiner, argued that the increase was merited because many employees did not enjoy appropriate increases last year and companies were once again showing profits and benefitting from increased productivity.

Daniel Lampart, the organisation’s chief economist, said the increases were merited and guaranteed stability.

He also pointed out that people on top salaries had benefitted the most from the economic recovery of 2004-2008, noting that the number of people on salaries of SFr1 million or more had increased from 1,000 in 1997 to 4,500 in 2006.

Lampart also called on the Swiss National Bank to oppose a strong Swiss franc, particularly against the euro, which threatened jobs in Switzerland.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative