Federal Council and Parliament reject care initiative
On November 28, 2021, voters will decide on the popular initiative "For strong care". The care initiative demands that the federal government and the cantons promote care. The initiative goes too far for the Federal Council and Parliament. They are opposing it with an indirect counter-proposal.
Because there are more and more elderly people, diseases such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases will also increase in the coming years. In order to maintain the quality of care, more nurses must be trained. The initiative "For strong care" demands that the federal government and the cantons recognize and promote care as an important component of health care. This access should be granted to all.
Regulation of working conditions
The popular initiative demands that the federal government regulate working conditions in hospitals, homes and Spitex organizations in a more binding manner. According to the initiative, the federal government would, for example, have to stipulate wage levels or ensure a better work-life balance, e.g. through regulations on duty rosters. In doing so, the federal government would encroach on the competencies of the cantons, companies and social partners. Today, they jointly regulate working conditions and wages.
For the Federal Council and parliament, the initiative goes too far, among other things because it demands that the federal government regulate working conditions. Good working conditions and fair wages are important to ensure that the nursing profession is attractive and that people working in nursing remain in the profession for as long as possible. However, according to the Federal Council, hospitals, homes and Spitex organizations as well as the cantons and the social partners should continue to work together to ensure this.
For the committee, the nursing crisis has long been a reality: too few nurses are being trained, and too many leave the profession exhausted after just a few years. Only thanks to an increasing number of nurses from abroad can care be maintained. According to the initiators, the indirect counter-proposal of the parliament is insufficient: It focuses on training and lacks measures to ensure that nurses stay longer in the profession.
About the Popular initiative "For strong care will be voted on November 28.
Source: Federal Council
