The Coronavirus Switzerland threatens to paralyze. On Friday, the Federal Council has banned events, and strict controls for smaller Events and has, in order to prevent infection within Switzerland. On Saturday, the highest health official Daniel cook said at a media conference that such contagions no longer be avoided, in spite of all the measures. And he said that all should go with mild cold symptoms to work. The fear of the massive economic impact of the epidemic is always larger. Companies fear loss due to illness absences and shortages, because the suppliers can't produce more. And the strengthening of the Swiss franc threatens the economy.

Now the economy invites Minister, Guy Parmelin the social partners to a summit on the crisis. His spokesman Urs Wiedmer confirmed: "In the next week, the Federal Council Parmelin is planning a round table with workers, employers and the cantons on the subject of Coronavirus." To be invited, along with the employers ' Association, Economiesuisse and the unions, also large affected industry associations such as gastro Suisse. The Meeting to organize, to discuss demands of the social partners and the business in connection with the epidemic. "All the pages are there, your Worries bring," said Wiedmer.

The national Bank must cooperate with the state and a program launch, the imbalances in the cushion."Pierre-Yves Maillarid, President of the Confederation of trade unions

The Corona-business summit is being held to pressure from the trade unions. Union boss Yves Maillard suggested last week such a Meeting in a telephone conversation with the Minister of economy. "The Federal Council has a great responsibility, and he must be supported, in order to calm exaggerated Fears," says Maillard.

for Daniel Lampart, chief economist of the Confederation of trade unions, is clear: "The Situation is extraordinary. It now needs a crisis meeting with the Federal Council."

According to the length of the list of demands of the unions. They require, in view of the looming problems with the Coronavirus, and the stronger Swiss franc, a real stimulus program. It is to be financed with the money of the national Bank.

Maillard is convinced that conventional economic policy is because of the Virus to their limits. "The national Bank can no longer reduce, therefore, just the interest, but you must cooperate with the state and a program launch, the economic to mitigate the imbalances, which are exacerbated by the epidemic." You do not need to go as far as Hong Kong, where the Central Bank money to citizens distributed. Maillard proposes instead a programme of investment in climate protection: "It is the Moment to think of the future programmes, for example in the area of climate protection."

"The Situation could be compared to storm damage."Heidi Hanselmann, President of the conference of health Directors

in addition, the trade unions think about the "classic instruments" of a crisis program. Maillard speaks of further short-time working and "compensation for the directly affected, so the Hoteliers, operators and suppliers of the machinery industry". Lampart like that the state helps to organize new supply chains, when deliveries for example, from China or Italy, are no longer guaranteed due to the Virus.

The cantons of see it the same. "We need to discuss how we can provide the SMEs with useful support," says Heidi Hanselmann President of the conference of health Directors. Also, the question of Federal involvement has to be put explicitly. "The economy can't help it. The Situation could be compared to storm damage." Initial discussions have taken place in the cantons already.

The employers want to stimulus

Even in the SVP over a support to the economy because of the Coronavirus: "I close the need to take certain measures does not, in principle," says group chief Thomas Aeschi. But for an assessment it was too early. You have to wait and see how the Situation will develop. "Up in a week, we can assess the situation better," says the Zug of the national Council.

The employer will see the need for government measures. A stimulus program you don't want to yet. Employer President Valentin Vogt says: "By this idea, I think that in today's Status – nothing. The task of the national Bank is the maintenance of price stability is primary." You would welcome it but if the Federal government supported the economy in crisis management. Vogt: "the granting of the possibility of short-time work is primary." The need to avoid economic distortions in the labour market. The Association has formed a task force, "the consequences of to assess and to develop possible counter-measures".

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Created: 01.03.2020, 10:00 PM