News The economic downturn interrupted the continued increase in workforces that has characterized the Swiss watchmaking and micro-engineering industries over recent years. However, the number of qualified personnel has increased by more than 4%.
According to the census of personnel and firms carried out each year by the Employers’ Federation (CP), the watchmaking and micro-engineering industry employed 40,538 workers on 30 September last year, or 277 fewer than the year before (-0.7%). At the same time, the number of firms in the industry increased by 23 units, to 587. This increase can be explained by the fact that new SMEs were included in the census.
In absolute figures, the main decrease is attributable to production staff, whose workforce fell from 30,330 to 29,932 employees (-398, -1.3%). The most important proportional decline was recorded among home workers, whose already modest numbers declined from 666 to 570 (-96, -14.4%). The number of managerial staff meanwhile remained stable, with administrative personnel registering a slight increase (+2.5%).
Although their numbers have fallen compared to the previous year, those who are employed are increasingly well qualified! The census shows a considerable increase in the number of employees benefiting from advanced training (+350, +9.3%) and holders of a vocational diploma (+759, +4.5%), as a result of increasingly sophisticated machines and technology calling for trained personnel.
Watchmaking remains most widely prevalent in the cantons of the Jura Mountain region, as indicated by the following figures (in number of employees and in %):
| Neuchâtel | 10'994 | 27,1% |
| Bern | 8'222 | 20,3% |
| Geneva | 6'643 | 16,4% |
| Soleure | 3'951 | 9,7% |
| Jura | 3'798 | 9,4% |
| Vaud | 3'221 | 7,9% |
| Basle-Campagne | 1'000 | 2,5% |
| Other | 2'709 | 6,7% |
| Total | 40'538 | 100,0% |
The seven cantons of this watchmaking region are home to 37,829 employees, or 93.3% of the industry's total workforce. Other cantons with a significant watchmaking presence include Ticino (1,251 employees), Valais (608), Fribourg (273) and Schaffhouse (419).
The canton of Soleure (+186, +4.9%) recorded the largest increase in employees in absolute and proportional terms, followed by Bern (+145, +1.8%). The cantons of Neuchâtel (-305, -2.7%), Jura (-310, -7.5%) and Fribourg (-77, -22.0%) however registered a decline in numbers.
More than eight out of ten workers are employed by companies affiliated to the Employers’ Federation of the Swiss Watchmaking Industry. These firms subscribe to the collective agreement signed with trades unions. The agreement extends to 401 firms (68.3%) employing a total of 33,474 people (82.6%).
The watchmaking industry includes companies active in very diverse fields (assembly of movements, manufacture of spare parts, polishing, etc). The most frequently encountered activities are the production of watch and clock components, carried on by 181 establishments (171 in 2002), followed by the assembly and finishing of watchmaking products (139 establishments, against 153 in 2002). More than 14% (13% in 2002) of firms carry on a purely tertiary activity (sales, representation), to the exclusion of any other. In addition, 224 establishments (208 in 2002) carry on at least one activity that is not directly connected with watchmaking (non-watchmaking micro-engineering, fabrication of machines, medical equipment, automotive supplies, etc).
Lastly, in terms of the profile of employees, the situation is as follows:
- 75% of personnel work in production and 20% in administration. These proportions reflect the industrial nature of the workplace;
- with 21,844 male employees (53.9%) and 18,694 female employees (46.1%), the balance between men and women is virtually perfect;
- more than half of all employees have received advanced training or are in possession of a vocational diploma. The other half comprises semi- or non-qualified personnel working mainly in production. Their numbers fell by 7.5% in 2003, and they now account for 41.9% of the workforce.
July 01, 2004
