January 2022 Unemployment Update
Registered unemployed figures for January 2022 from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
What was the total number of people unemployed in January 2022 in Switzerland?
Registered unemployment in January 2022 according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) was a total of 122,268 people registered as unemployed.
This was an increase of 540 who had registered at the RAV (Regional Employment Centres) on the number for December 2021. The unemployment rate remained at 2.6% in the reporting month.
The headline comparison to the same month last year, was a reduction of 28% in the unemployment number ( 47,485 people). The comparison looks like a bright ray of sunshine, yet it masks the hidden problem of many people who came off the register or who decided not to continue to register as unemployed because they were not receiving any benefits.
The Youth Unemployment Numbers For January 2022
Youth unemployment (15- to 24-year-olds) decreased by 169 persons (-1.6%) to 10,400. Again COVID issues mask the picture, a good number unable to secure an apprenticeship stayed on to study courses or “go back to school” because it was almost impossible to find work in 2021 for many. Therefore a year on year comparison will not be mentioned as many were able to secure employment, or an apprenticeship 3-9 months after they normally would.
Looking Ahead To Post COVID World – More Employment Opportunities
The continued use of 2018 mandatory job notification and local advertising measure throughout Switzerland for occupational types with an unemployment rate of at least 8%, and a threshold of 5% brought in on 1/1/2020 continues ensure use of local recruiters and to focus on Swiss based hires.
The number of vacancies reported to the RAV increased by 10,881 to 58,412 vacancies in January. Of the 58,412 jobs, 43,811 jobs were subject to mandatory reporting regulations. They are low skilled and are in industries which will struggle post-pandemic to hire staff quickly, such as hospitality or retail because other new jobs and work from home roles suddenly offer choices not available in 2019 or earlier.
Short-Time Working Update For November 2021
There was a reduction of 3,511 persons working on the government funded schemes when compared to October 2021. 7,384 companies are claiming support for short-time working, this in itself is causing a drag on the “return to the new normal.”
In November 2020, 296,592 employees of 34,311 companies were on short-time working.
No Longer Able To Claim Support – November 2021
2,848 people lost their right to claim any unemployment or support from the RAV in November 2021.
It is no wonder the suicide rate has increased because this “drop off” is like jumping off a cliff financially and remains a problem for social services which is not likely to go away soon.
How many people were registered as unemployed in Zurich at the end of January 2022?
The number of registered unemployed in Zurich at the end of January 2022 totalled 20,022 which was 16.4% of the total for Switzerland for January 2022.
This compares to the December end of year registered unemployed total for:
- Dec 2021 – 24,895
- Dec 2020 – 26,155
Geneva and 10 other Cantons had higher rates of unemployment than Zurich.
Sales and service workers were the worst off, possibly because of the reduced need for tele or field sales and of course sectors such as retail or hospitality which were shut for much of 2021.
January 2022 Company Employment and Job News In Switzerland
31.01.22 Switzerland – Media and Journalists Leave Industry
The vote for funding newsroom staff and journalists will come under the spotlight in the vote next month. In 2011, the media employed over 16,000 staff, in 2019 it totalled just over 12,000 according to the Federal Statistical Office. Lack of funding, job cuts and journalists moving into marketing or communication roles are just some of the factors impacting this industry.
It is not expected that the vote to provide improved funding will get the required “yes” numbers. This will result in many more gig type jobs to be advertised, making it more difficult for any journalist to earn as before.
17.01.22 Switzerland – Credit Suisse Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio resigns
Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio has resigned after flouting COVID-19 quarantine rules, the bank said on Monday, raising questions over the embattled lender’s new strategy as it tries to recover from a string of scandals.
7.01.22 Zurich, Switzerland – Uber drivers are not self-employed
The court in Zurich published its decision about the relationship between Uber and its drivers. It ruled that there is a clear dependence between an employer and an employee.
As such, Uber must pay social contributions for drivers, the court said: in this case – brought by the company against the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva) and the Zurich social security services – it now faces retroactive payments, including interest, of some CHF5.2 million ($5.64 million) for the year 2014.
The decision is expected to be appealed.