More Sunday work approved for agricultural sector
In the future, employees in agricultural processing will be allowed to work on more Sundays without a permit. This takes into account the fact that many vegetables and fruits can be harvested not only during the main season, but all year round.
Sunday work for persons working in the processing of agricultural products will be extended. Thus, instead of 26 as before, only 12 work-free Sundays must be granted; moreover, the weekly rest period can now be granted alternatively with once 47 consecutive hours or twice 35 consecutive hours.
This new special permit (Article 12, Paragraph ArGV 2) was approved by the Federal Council.
Previous regulation is outdated
Several years ago, the Swiss Fruit, Vegetable and Potato Trade Association, Swisscofel, applied for an extension of the permit-free Sunday working hours. Behind this is an increased consumer demand for fresh products and new work processes for their processing.
Furthermore, the previous rules were limited to the harvest season. This no longer makes sense today, since new cultivation methods are independent of seasons and weather, and moreover the trade in fresh produce has become highly internationalized. Today, many fruits and vegetables are harvested and offered at any time of the year.
New regulation is already field-tested
The social partners in the industry have recognized the association's concerns for some time. With the global approval of SECO, the now officially approved regulation has therefore been permitted for several years and has proven its worth according to Swisscofel and the social partners. For this reason, it will now be transferred to ordinary law as of September 1.
