The tension in the building sector has increased in recent days. Entrepreneurs and workers no longer understood why the Geneva – or federal – authorities did not take the decision to stop the construction sites where dozens, even hundreds of people meet. The ax fell on Wednesday during the press briefing of the Council of State: all the sites must stop no later than Friday at noon. Some exceptions are possible in very specific cases.
“Companies must take the necessary measures to close the construction sites in progress today,” said Serge Dal Busco, the magistrate responsible for Infrastructure. I’m sure many will have closed before, but it takes others a while to secure the premises. ”
Possible exemptions
For reasons of general interest or security, exceptions may be granted. The requests will be examined by a new tripartite body (State, unions, employers), chaired by Serge Dal Busco.
The State will also rely on social partnership, through the job market supervisory board, to examine “the very many questions that affect the field of employment and the protection of workers in relation to the Covid-19 crisis ”. And that for all the sectors still in activity.
The bosses wish
Stopping the construction sites will relieve many people, not just the workers. Florian Lavizzari, the owner of a sanitary facilities company with 60 employees, contacted before the government’s decision, the situation was unsustainable. “Our workers deserve respect. It’s not cannon fodder! I don’t understand why all the construction sites were not stopped. If the authority does not take this decision, the risk of a judgment is borne by the company. Our customers could turn against us “, summarizes this entrepreneur.
A company employing 210 people in the Geneva region, the Scrasa group had already decided on Tuesday to stop practically all of its works “for health reasons”, in coordination with the contracting authorities. “We are putting our teams on short-time working and we are making claims for compensation. Our cash flow allows us to assume the salaries and social security contributions for March without any problem, “summarizes Sébastien Revaux, CEO of the Scrasa Group.
Rue du Village-Suisse, an excavation site was already almost stopped on Wednesday. In the afternoon, a few workers gave a final sweep.
The Unia union and the Federation of Building Trades (FMB) also called for a stop on Tuesday. Union secretary at Unia, José Sebastiao had specifically targeted large construction sites, such as that of the Pond in Vernier or that of the airport. This site near the Arena, that of the East wing, brings together, from a union source, up to 300 workers during the day, with large teams working together. “In large construction sites, workers are necessarily found very close to each other, especially in the barracks,” says the union secretary. The latter also mentioned the lack of sanitary equipment in the toilets of these barracks. “The Council of State must stop all these projects. It is a matter of decency, “added José Sebastiao. On Wednesday, he was heard. “The shutdown of the site is under discussion with the general contractor,” said Genève Aéroport on Tuesday.
Nicolas Rufener, head of the FMB, also wanted the Geneva government to take a clear decision with regard to all sites, including those concerning the finishing works (plumbers, electricians, tinsmiths, carpenters, tilers, plasterers) -painters, etc.) often also involved in renovation operations.
“We must go further”
The stoppage of construction sites is however not considered sufficient in the eyes of the Geneva Community of Trade Union Action (CGAS). This plant calls on the government to take drier measures. “Let’s stop all unnecessary economic activity. The health of workers is at stake, ”says Alessandro Pelizzari.
The president of the CGAS and regional secretary of the Unia union also demands that the state guarantee employment, wages and payment of social benefits. In these troubled times, unions fear that some bosses will take advantage of the opportunity to lay off workers, especially those who are already in precarious situations.
Created: 18.03.2020, 6.39 p.m.
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