Out of the shadow: (fair) work standards in Swiss welfare-to-work programmes

In the activating welfare state, participation in welfare-to-work programmes became increasingly mandatory to receive welfare payments. However, many labour rights to not applyto these programmes, which leaves participants in a vulnerable position. In this paper we ask which fair work standards are necessary to redress the power imbalance between worker, employer, and social services. We develop fair work standards for the contextof welfare-to-work programmes in Switzerland, using the lens of the capability approach and international human rights law: Voluntariness and exit options, working conditions, professional skills and voice are identified as main criteria. We describe contractual relationships in Swiss WTW programmes and compare three different schemes in the recycling business where clients perform similar work under different legal regulations. Data come from an analysis of international, national, and cantonal law as well as document analysis of company regulations and agreements, statistics, and interviews with socialservices, clients and managers. Our analysis shows that fair work standards are a comprehensive concept. Single components, like voluntariness, voice or respect for professional skills, are necessary, yet not sufficient tofair work. A selective and inconsistent application of fair work standards can be linked to the idea of workfare itself that makes the unemployed responsible for their situation. However, some programmes are well received by some clients, whether due to the allowance, social contacts, or recognition. Politicians, social services and courts should comprehensively assess the realities, structures, and concrete workplace arrangements in WTW programmes from a fair work and human rightsperspective. As significant public funding goes into WTW programmes, comprehensive evaluations on the impacts and outcomes of programmes are necessary.