EU deals: signature near, what changes for workers
Green light from the EU Council for the signing of the new agreement package. The meeting between Parmelin and von der Leyen is awaited. For cross-border workers, the focus is on free movement and wage protection.
Contesto
The signal Bern was waiting for has arrived from Brussels: on Tuesday morning, the Council of the European Union gave its final green light to the signing of the new, comprehensive package of bilateral agreements with Switzerland. This is a decisive step that formally closes a long and complex negotiation phase. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to receive the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, as early as next week to put the signatures on the deal. For the EU, this agreement is an essential piece for continental stability, especially in the current geopolitical climate. "Switzerland is an important partner. We share many values and interests, and it is in our mutual interest to cooperate, now more than ever," emphasized Jessica Rosenkranz, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs. However, the path in Switzerland is far from over. The government's message will reach the Federal Parliament in the coming weeks, kicking off what promises to be a heated debate. Although the agreement gained the support of the majority of cantons during the consultation phase, it is crucial to remember that Ticino is not among them. Our canton, along with others, expressed reservations, especially on hot-button issues like wage protection and immigration. The only party maintaining a firm and frontal opposition is the SVP (UDC), which calls the agreement a "submission treaty."
Dettagli operativi
But what does this package actually contain, and what are the direct implications for the thousands of cross-border workers who cross the border every day? The architecture of the agreement is complex and touches on sensitive nerves of Ticino's economy. ## Key points of the package The deal is not a single treaty, but a set of interconnected agreements: - Update of existing agreements: The most relevant point for workers is the update of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), the pillar on which the status of cross-border workers is based. Agreements on air and land transport are also being updated. - New sectoral agreements: Three new agreements are introduced on food safety, health, and electricity. The latter is of particular strategic importance for grid stability and energy costs in Switzerland. - Contribution to cohesion: A "fair and permanent" Swiss financial contribution to the EU's economic and social cohesion, the so-called "cohesion billion," is institutionalized. - Participation in EU programs: Switzerland will be able to participate in various Union programs, such as those for research (Horizon Europe) and education (Erasmus+). ⚠️ Open questions Despite the green light from Brussels, the game will be played on the details of domestic implementation. Issues such as the protection of wages from downward pressure, the management of migration flows, and the methods for transposing EU law into Swiss law remain crucial sticking points. These will be the topics at the center of the parliamentary debate, where every comma can make a difference for the Ticino labor market.
Punti chiave
With the signing in Brussels now on the horizon, the ball is entirely in Switzerland's court. The parliamentary debate will be just the first round of a contest that will likely culminate in a popular vote next year. The SVP has already sharpened its weapons to launch a referendum, turning the vote into a judgment on national independence and sovereignty. ## What to expect in the coming months For cross-border workers, the coming period is one of careful observation. The decisions made in Bern will have a direct and tangible impact. The discussion on flanking measures and wage protection, in particular, will be fundamental to ensuring that free movement does not translate into a race to the bottom for working conditions in Ticino. The positions of Ticino's political parties and trade unions will be decisive in shaping the debate. 💡 Preparing for the future In a scenario of potential change, having a clear understanding of one's own financial situation is more important than ever. Political dynamics and new agreements influence the labor market and, consequently, salaries. While politics defines the general framework, the most immediate impact for every worker remains on their payslip. To understand how these macroeconomic dynamics could affect your net income, it is essential to have a clear picture of your current situation. Use our net salary calculator for a precise and up-to-date estimate based on current regulations. Source: RSI, 24.02.2026