Gaps in unemployment insurance coverage for pregnant women are to be closed

At the initiative of the SMV and other unions, and with the support of the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB), Bern’s SP Council of States member Flavia Wasserfallen submitted a motion on June 13, 2024, calling on the Federal Council to amend the legal provisions, so that, on the one hand, women cannot be excluded from unemployment insurance benefits during pregnancy and, on the other hand, the number of daily benefits under unemployment insurance for pregnant unemployed women is increased in cases of health-related incapacity to work, and continued wage payments are covered by income replacement benefits in cases of medically prescribed work restrictions. These adjustments are urgently needed, among other reasons, to better protect pregnant musicians who are subject to work restrictions based on sound pressure measurements in orchestras, in accordance with the Maternity Protection Ordinance.

No consensus in the chambers of Parliament

Opponents of the motion argued that pregnant women are currently covered to the same extent as those who are sick or have been in accidents, and that there is no reason to treat them differently. The Federal Council, on the other hand, argued that adopting the motion would lead to unequal treatment and legal problems, and that, moreover, only a small number of women would be affected. Despite opposition from the Federal Council and the SVP and FDP parliamentary groups, the Wasserfallen motion was adopted by the National Council by a vote of 103 to 87. The Council of States had already approved it in September 2025 by a vote of 24 to 18, even though the relevant committee had seen no need for action and argued that most women do not experience significant wage losses during pregnancy.

In the run-up to the votes, Business and Professional Women Switzerland (BPW), the Swiss Midwives Association (SHV), and alliance F, the nonpartisan umbrella organization for women’s groups, as well as Protestant and Catholic women’s associations, had asked members of the National Council and Council of States to approve the motion in order to provide women with greater financial security and career prospects.

Specific Effects of the Adopted Motion

The SGB notes that currently, about 500 women lose their entitlement to unemployment insurance (ALV) each year—and with it, their entitlement to maternity benefits—even if they have paid contributions for years. Preventing them from losing their entitlement to benefits would incur only minimal additional costs: 0.12 percent of ALV expenditures, or 8 million francs out of a total of 7 billion francs. Given a revenue surplus of 1.4 billion Swiss francs in 2024, the additional costs are negligible in the insurance budget but are of great importance to the women affected. This would prevent them from falling into a precarious situation at a time when they should be preparing for childbirth. In addition, Parliament intends to grant unemployed pregnant women higher daily benefits in the event of an inability to work. Currently, after 30 consecutive days, those affected no longer receive any further disability benefits and are then left without an income. However, the 30 days are quickly used up, as pregnant women are, on average, unable to work for six weeks during their pregnancy.

For freelance female musicians in particular, the passage of the motion represents a significant improvement in their professional situation and, for Flavia Wasserfallen, an important political victory.