Government programmes designed to ease the ongoing shortage of workers in Switzerland have had “no significant effect” on the crisis, a report from the Federal Audit Office (SFAO) has claimed. Some lawmakers have called for the measures to be scrapped, while others have argued that they do not go far enough.

Swiss government spends millions on easing worker shortage

Since 2011, the federal government has launched several programmes designed to ease the ongoing worker shortages. In the majority of cases, government departments have worked with individual cantons and companies to make jobs in Switzerland more appealing.

In the mechanical and electrical engineering and IT sectors, for example, the government used funds to push for improved work-life balance for those with families, raise awareness of training schemes, and better integrate refugees and non-Swiss workers into the labour force. In all, the SFAO expects the government to spend 300 million francs on the measures between 2020 and 2024.

Switzerland's schemes to ease staff shortage have no impact, say SFAO

However, in the report, the office said that the programmes run by the government and cantons have had “no significant impact on solving the skilled labour problem, despite considerable investments." SFAO spokesperson Laurent Crémieux said that many of the measures being taken by the government “are little known”, with most companies unaware of how they could benefit their business.

The news comes as staff shortages continue to be a thorn in the side of the Swiss economy. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 110.000 positions were left unfilled in Switzerland at the end of last year. Business associations speaking to Swissinfo predicted that by 2040, the alpine nation will be short of 430.000 workers.

Lawmakers call for a halt on worker shortage programmes in Switzerland

Speaking to 20 Minuten, Centre Party National Councillor Reto Nause said that the findings were “sobering”, arguing that the country has spent more than enough to rectify the shortage of personnel. He called for parliament to withhold any more funds: “Where have the programmes failed and where have they had no effect? ​​These questions must be answered first."

Some went further, with Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Sandra Sollberger arguing that the skills shortage would be the same today as if the government did not commission the schemes at all, arguing that the shortage could be solved by scrapping rules for working hours and expanding apprenticeship scheme. SVP National Councillor Diana Gutjahr agreed, arguing that the attractiveness of certain roles in Switzerland has to be increased - but argued that this was the job of business, not taxpayers' money.

Switzerland missing easy ways to make work more attractive, argues SP

"It is important that investments are made in addressing the shortage of skilled workers," noted Social Democratic National Councillor Sarah Wyss. However, she said that “obvious measures” that could ease the shortages, such as subsidised childcare services and expanded parental leave, are not being discussed.

For their part, the State Secretariate for Economic Affairs (SECO) defended the measures, noting that while the government has a role, it is ultimately up to companies and industry to solve the worker shortage. They added that some unfilled vacancies should be expected at a time when the rate of unemployment in Switzerland is low - estimated to be 4 percent as of June 2024.