News

Stress, understaffing, poor working conditions and a lack of time for people are everday concerns for Swiss care workers. That is why Unia's care worker members have this month launched a national care campaign for good care and support with good working conditions.
 
In order to effectively improve the situation in a sector which is under tremendous pressure, Unia is demanding an end to the commercialisation of care, and to austerity funding for the sector, to be replaced by a model which sees human beings placed at the centre once again. 

Unia Branch Director Udo Michel said: "In the long-term care humanity must have priority rather than profit."
 
More and more workers were suffering from physical and mental ailments, insecure work patterns.

''Despite all the challenges, workers are dedicated to their clients and are sacrificing themselves to ensure good care can be provided,'' Adrian Durtschi, Unia's Industry Coordinator for home and senior care told the media.
 
Michèle Wirth, a long term care assistant, explained that interpersonal care falls by the wayside while administrative burdens were increasing all the time.

Uwe Ruländer, another care professional, confirmed the massive pressures: "Fewer and fewer staff must do more in a shorter and shorter amount of time. It is time for the individual which is ultimately suffering. "
 
Unia's demands include: decent wages and allowances, fair working hours, permanent placement, right to training, and guaranteed collective bargaining agreements. To enforce their demands, Unia launched the petition "Good care needs good working conditions" and released its revised "Manifesto for good nursing care." 

For further information:
 Udo Michel, Branch Director, 079 291 36 72
 Adrian Durtschi, Industry Coordinator, care, 079 223 46 17