The institutions

THE EMPLOYERS’ CONVENTION OF THE SWISS WATCHMAKING INDUSTRY (CP)

Founded in 1937, the Employers’ Convention is one of the two umbrella organizations of the Swiss watchmaking industry. While the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) deals with economic and commercial aspects, the CP takes on the labor and employment component.

Organization

The CP now oversees five regional employers’ associations to which around 500 signatory (voluntary) companies are directly affiliated, representing 82% of jobs in the watchmaking and micromechanics sector.

Missions

The CP’s missions are organized around four main areas:

The Collective Labor Agreement (CCT): The Employers’ Convention issues, in conjunction with the social partners, the CLA which regulates working conditions (wages, hours, safety, etc.) within signatory companies.

Professional training: The Employers’ Convention is the Ortra (Organisation of Work) for the watchmaking and microtechnology trades. It is responsible for defining the skills to be acquired in the various trades according to the needs of the industry. When necessary, it is under the Impulse of the Employers’ Convention that new certifying training programs are introduced.

Health and safety at work : The Employers’ Convention issues rules and recommendations regarding health and safety at work.

Communication: The Employers’ Convention disseminates sustained institutional communication mainly in favor of apprenticeships in the watchmaking and Micromechanics trades. This is achieved through traditional and digital media, as well as through the organization of major events (Swisskills, presence at major watchmaking events).

Thus, the Employers’ Convention plays a fundamental and structural role in the watchmaking and Micromechanics industry.