Unemployment Funds
Since the introduction of compulsory unemployment insurance on 1 January 1984, the unemployment funds have been the primary partners for all financial matters relating to unemployment.
Under the Unemployment Insurance Act (AVIG), the unemployment funds assess the policyholder's eligibility to claim unemployment benefits and other allowances and are responsible for making the monthly payments. The funds therefore pay out unemployment , insolvency, bad weather and short-time payments and also refund training and skill adaptation grants.
Today, a total of 38 organisations in Switzerland operate an unemployment fund. Every canton operates its own public unemployment fund. In addition, a number of employee and employer organisations active on a national, regional or cantonal level have set up their own private funds.
Insured persons and employers are free to decide which unemployment fund to choose. Only insolvency payments are required by law to be processed by public funds.
The unemployment funds will gladly answer any questions you may have regarding claims and the scope of financial benefits available through unemployment insurance.