Thousands Demand Higher Wages and Pensions at Kaufkraft Demo in Bern

Several thousand people gathered in Bern on Saturday for a demonstration demanding higher wages and pensions. The participants came from all parts of the country and were united in their call for rapid measures from politicians to reduce the premium burden, protect tenants from abuse, and curb excessive returns from the real estate industry.

The demonstration was organized by the SGB unions, Travail.Suisse associations, SP, Greens, and the tenants' association. The organizers estimated that around 20,000 people took part.

One of the banners carried by the demonstrators read "Everything is becoming more expensive - wages and pensions are increasing!" Another slogan was "Rising profits, falling wages? Not with us!"

Pierre-Yves Maillard, the President of the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions, spoke to the crowd on Bundesplatz, warning that real wages had fallen for the third time in a row in 2023 and that a fourth round of negative wages must be prevented.

Maillard said that the time was ripe for higher wages, given that unemployment is at two percent and profits and dividends are higher than ever before. He called for general wage increases that go beyond increases in bonuses, rents, electricity, and general price increases.

The organizers of the demonstration also issued a joint communiqué in which they said that there was enough money available so that everyone could make ends meet with their income. They called for higher premium reductions to relieve the burden of health insurance premiums on lower and middle incomes, as well as a cap on rent increases and reform of the electricity market.

The demonstration was a clear signal from the Swiss public that they are demanding action from the government to address the rising cost of living and the growing gap between rich and poor.