Breakfast Show 6:30am - 10:00am

Listen Live

Search

Switzerland behind in labour laws

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:35

Switzerland is falling behind the European Union in tackling forced labour, La Liberté argues in a new analysis.

Unlike the EU, Switzerland does not ban the import of goods made using forced labour, relying instead on longstanding international standards.

The Swiss NGO Public Eye says that framework is not enough — particularly in commodity supply chains for coffee, cocoa and gold, where the risk of forced labour is highest.

The debate has been sharpened by a jab from US President Donald Trump, who has publicly accused Switzerland of being too soft on the issue. The question now is whether Bern will move closer to the tougher European approach.

 

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Former Swiss resident loses nationality

    A former Yverdon-les-Bains resident convicted of plotting attacks in France has been stripped of his Swiss nationality, in a decision confirmed by the Federal Administrative Tribunal

  • Swiss neutrality debate continues

    Ahead of the 27 September vote on the "Safeguard Swiss Neutrality" initiative, Geneva Council of State member Nathalie Fontanet has restated the cantonal executive's rejection of the text

  • More drought fears

    Switzerland's forests are being reshaped by drought faster than researchers expected

  • English language remains on SBB

    Switzerland's Federal Council has thrown out a parliamentary bid to curb English-language announcements on SBB trains and at railway stations

  • Saleve cable car not running

    The Salève cable car has been shut down indefinitely after around fifteen caravans set up camp on the parking lot at the base station on Sunday

  • Crans Montana fire foundation loses members

    The foundation set up to help victims of the Crans-Montana fire has lost four of its nine board members in less than two months.

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play