iGlobal Law

Core Facts

• Population:  8.4M
• GDP:  USD 671 billion
• GDP per head:  USD 75,552
• Workforce:  5M
• Unemployment (2017):  3.3%
• Average monthly wages (2017):  USD 6,380

Regulatory

• Government debt:  34% of GDP
• Personal income tax:  40%
• Corporation tax:  17.92%
• World corruption ranking 2016:  5th Transparency International
• Ease of doing business ranking:  31st Business Freedom Index
• Labour law:  ILO Conventions ratified
• Data protection:  Member of the EEA and so recognised as having adequate protection

Switzerland is one of the most interesting jurisdictions in Europe in terms of its cultural mix and the structure of its ‘canton’ system. It is a jurisdiction in which there are four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh, the first three of which are officially recognised. Employers would need think about how they organise their employment documents from a language point of view. The country is also a Federation and is divided into 26 ‘cantons’, which are effectively districts. The principal law governing employment in Switzerland is the Code of Obligations. The legal framework in Switzerland essentially comprises of case law, Federal law and local cantonal law.