PCP
Photo creditsThe Party’s position
The PCP defends fair remuneration, effective collective bargaining and the ability to develop skills throughout working life. Changes in production should be discussed with employees and their representatives. Public support to enterprises should specify employment and training commitments, and give workers an intelligible account of the changes proposed.
The Chinese experience
China’s development makes the relationship between industrial upgrading, technical education and employment a significant subject of study. The Party examines how training capacity is expanded and connected to productive activity. Learning from these arrangements requires attention to the actual work performed and the institutions through which workers can express their interests.
Application within Swiss institutions
Switzerland’s vocational institutions, collective agreements and employment services provide established points of action. The PCP proposes strengthening their links when sectors change, improving recognition of skills, and providing accessible routes into further training. Measures must address the income and time needed to take part in that training.
Proposed measures
- Include funded training plans in publicly supported restructuring.
- Strengthen collective bargaining over pay, hours and technical change.
- Make retraining accessible during working life.
- Improve the recognition and portability of occupational skills.
- Assess employment quality in public procurement.
- Require clear employment commitments when enterprises receive targeted public support.
Resources and implementation
Training requires qualified instructors, suitable equipment and time that workers can actually use. Programmes should identify who pays course costs and how income is maintained. Employment measures should be evaluated with workers as well as employers, including where a sector has many temporary or subcontracted jobs.
Assessment of results
- Real remuneration and predictable working hours.
- Access to training during employment.
- Stable employment following retraining.
- Fulfilment of publicly funded employment commitments.
Contribute to this policy
A contribution on this policy should identify the measure concerned, the evidence to consider and the practical change proposed. Explain the relevant institution and any implications for resources or access. The research method gives the common framework for examining these questions.
