Viscom on the campaign trail against administrative burdens
The association writes that the flood of regulations and rules is driving up production costs in Switzerland. Sales in the graphic arts industry fell again in 2005, by 1.6 percent compared with the previous year.
Turnover in the graphic arts industry fell again in 2005 by 1.6 percent compared to the previous year, but the level of investment increased again. This was announced by the employers' association Viscom on the occasion of the publication of its annual report. The decline in employment in the industry has slowed, amounting to around 0.8 percent compared to the previous year. After a decline in exports between 2000 and 2003, an increase of 10 percent was achieved in 2005. At the same time, imports also rose by 6 percent. Last year, almost three times more printed products were still imported than exported. With the steady increase in the proportion of production for export, the graphic arts industry can also be described less and less as a classic domestic economy, Viscom announced. The association defines the reduction of administrative burdens in companies as a core issue. The flood of constantly new laws, regulations, rules and ordinances is making production in Switzerland more expensive and preventing necessary economic growth, writes Viscom in its communiqué. This is particularly true for the graphic arts industry, which has been exposed to enormous competitive pressure for years. The internal surveys required of companies would tie up important human resources.
An electronic education portal for basic vocational training was launched in the past financial year. This will improve the quality of training in Viscom member companies and simplify administration between the various contact partners.
Another focus for the association is the establishment of equal status for continuing vocational training and university education, which will be presented to voters in spring 2006 in the form of the new education constitution. Viscom will also push for the abolition of the current concordat agreements between the cantons, which are to be abandoned in favor of uniform, nationwide vocational training funding.
The employers' association praised the Confederation's new practice: From 2006, it will only award contracts to those graphic arts companies that comply with the labor regulations in the CLA. The extension of this agreement to the cantonal and municipal level is in preparation.
An electronic education portal for basic vocational training was launched in the past financial year. This will improve the quality of training in Viscom member companies and simplify administration between the various contact partners.
Another focus for the association is the establishment of equal status for continuing vocational training and university education, which will be presented to voters in spring 2006 in the form of the new education constitution. Viscom will also push for the abolition of the current concordat agreements between the cantons, which are to be abandoned in favor of uniform, nationwide vocational training funding.
The employers' association praised the Confederation's new practice: From 2006, it will only award contracts to those graphic arts companies that comply with the labor regulations in the CLA. The extension of this agreement to the cantonal and municipal level is in preparation.
