Mattmark nie vergessen

Even after 40 years, never forgetting Mattmark means first expressing deep sorrow at the death of 88 people. But remembering Mattmark also means realising the importance that migration has had and continues to have for Switzerland and, in particular, for the Swiss construction industry. Because migrants build Switzerland - yesterday and today. Switzerland likes to boast about its great buildings, especially when they were built in the face of adversity in the mountains: the tunnels, the road and railway galleries, the dams and reservoirs. It is all too easy to forget who actually built them. In most cases, it was migrant women who worked hard for the large-scale Swiss constructions and for the profit of investors and construction companies, often risking their health and lives in the process.

Lessons need to be learnt and connections made to today. Mattmark thus also provides an opportunity to reflect on issues of occupational safety and health protection.

Despite the improvements that have been achieved, the importance of a determined and solidary trade union commitment becomes clear.