Professional and stakeholder organisations

Employers’ associations represent different, even opposing social policy interests. They often resist proposals to expand the welfare state, particularly when these contain measures that entail new payroll taxes. However, they have also supported the development of social security to a certain extent.  Employers likewise took their own initiatives in this domain.

Workers’ organisations founded at the end of the 19^th century were committed to the social protection of their members. Their mutual provident schemes and political initiatives have made the trade union movement an important stakeholder in Swiss social security.

The history of professional medical bodies begins with cantonal medical societies. The Swiss Medical Association (FMH) only developed into a strong political stakeholder over the course of the 20^th century.