A motion working its way through parliament in Bern could kill cantonal minimum wage levels.
The cantons affected would be Geneva and Neûchatel.
The proposal will force national collective agreements signed by some sectors to take precedence over cantonal laws.
This will include those working in construction, catering, hairdressing, service stations and call centres - amongst others.
Campaigners point out that Geneva will have a minimum wage of CHF 24 an hour from January, which means CHF 4,368 a month.
But for those in catering, the national agreement in place is CHF 3,477 a month – nearly a thousand less.
But it’s not final yet – and it may be beaten by a combination of views from both the left and the right. Left wing parties say the minimum wage must be protected, and right-wing parties always tend to support cantonal autonomy and direct democracy.
The Federal Council sees the problem, and has already said the motion will thwart local popular decisions.
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