Employment contract and wages

What is in the employment contract? What is a pay slip? Is there a minimum wage? Here are the basics.

You have found a job? Then you get an employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag). It regulates work, wages and termination.

The employment contract

A contract can be verbal or written. Both are valid. Still, ask for a written contract.

Read the contract before you sign. You do not understand something? Ask a counselling centre or the trade union (Gewerkschaft).

The pay slip (Lohnabrechnung)

With every wage payment you get a written pay slip (Lohnabrechnung). It shows the gross wage, the deductions and the net wage. Deductions are for example AHV and unemployment insurance.

Keep all pay slips. You need them for taxes, RAV and your permit.

Minimum wage

Switzerland has no national minimum wage. Some cantons have one, for example Geneva or Neuchâtel. Luzern is not on this list.

Many sectors have a collective labour agreement (Gesamtarbeitsvertrag, GAV). It contains a minimum wage for the sector. The trade union tells you if your sector has a GAV.

Undeclared work (Schwarzarbeit)

Work without registration with the insurances is called undeclared work (Schwarzarbeit). It is forbidden. Without registration you lack insurances like AHV and accident insurance.

What you can do now

  1. Ask for a written employment contract.
  2. Check every pay slip. Keep it.
  3. Questions about wages or contract? Ask the trade union Unia.
  4. Unsure? Ask Unia or FABIA. This app is not legal advice.

ch.ch, Arbeitsverträge in der Schweiz (2026-09-21)

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