PoliticsBern
45 hours instead of 50: upper-house committee backs shorter maximum working week for nurses
By 9 votes to 3, the Council of States' health committee supports the cut – even though the National Council rejected it in April. Financing remains the sticking point.
Key facts
- Decision
- Council of States' health committee, 10 November 2026, 9 votes to 3
- What
- Maximum working week for nurses cut from 50 to 45 hours
- Background
- The National Council rejected the cut in April
- Next step
- The matter goes to the Council of States
Nurses could get a shorter maximum working week after all. On Tuesday, 10 November, the health committee of the Council of States (the upper house) voted 9 to 3 to lower the limit from 50 to 45 hours, World Radio Switzerland reports.
At odds with the National Council
The decision is notable because the National Council, the lower house, rejected exactly this measure in April.
Who is affected
The committee says the change would affect only a minority, as full-time positions are rare in nursing. Flexible rosters would remain possible, with working time averaged over two weeks. The reform aims to ease chronic staff shortages.
The sticking point: money
According to the report, financing remains the hardest question. Health insurers, cantons and communes are expected to foot the bill.
What happens next
The matter now goes to the Council of States.
Sources
- World Radio Switzerland: News item on maximum working hours for nurses (opens in a new tab)worldradio.ch
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