Key Benefits:
(State 17 April 2001)
Original text
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
Bern, 29 November 1996 |
Mr. Flavio Cotti |
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Federal Councillor |
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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs |
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Federal Palace |
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3003 Berne |
Mr. Federal Councillor,
I refer to your letter of today, which reads as follows:
" Referring to the Federal Decree of 22 March 1996 delegating to the Federal Council the competence to conclude agreements with international organisations relating to the status of international civil servants of Swiss nationality in the field of insurance Swiss social (AVS/AI/APG and AC) 1 , I have the honour to inform you of the following:
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Council, I have the honour to propose that, as from the entry into force of the Agreement of 29 November 1996 between the Swiss Federal Council and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in In order to determine the legal status of the International Federation in Switzerland, employees of Swiss nationality of the International Federation are no longer regarded by the host State as compulsorily insured. Old Age and Survivor Insurance (OAS), Disability Insurance (DI), Allowance for Loss of earnings (GAPs) and unemployment insurance (UI), provided they are affiliated with a contingency plan provided by the International Federation. If they perform their duties in Switzerland, they will be able to join, on a voluntary basis, either at the AVS/AI/APG/AC or at HQ alone. In order to do so, they must file their application for accession with the compensation fund of the canton of their home within three months of their affiliation to a system of foresight provided for by the International Federation or, for Those who are already in the service of the International Federation, within six months of your reply to this letter.
In addition, I have the honour to propose that the spouses, Swiss or foreign nationals, of Swiss nationals who are domiciled in Switzerland, are no longer compulsorily insured by the AVS/AI/APG, when they do not carry on business Profit at the time of the collaborator's affiliation with the foresight system provided for by the International Federation or when they subsequently cease their lucrative business. They will be able to join the AVS/AI/APG on a voluntary basis. In order to do so, they must file their application with the compensation fund of the canton of their domicile within three months of the affiliation of the collaborator to a system of foresight provided for by the International Federation or Within three months of the termination of their gainful occupation, or within six months from the date of your reply to this letter, when the employee is already serving the International Federation. The regulations described above also apply to spouses-who do not enjoy privileges and immunities-of foreign collaborators who are exempt from Swiss social security under s. 1, para. 2, let. (a), LAVS 2 .
Insured persons may, at any time, terminate all insurance coverage they have chosen for the end of the current month. The AVS/AI/APG/AC insured may, however, terminate only the AVS/AI/APG and maintain their affiliation with the CA. The termination shall be valid for the duration of the employee's commitment to the service of the International Federation. Subject to the specific conditions set out in this letter, the provisions of the AVS/AI/APG/AC shall apply to them. Those insured persons who fail to meet their obligations within the prescribed time limit will be excluded after warning.
The International Federation provides the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs with a list of collaborators of Swiss nationality affiliated with a system of foresight provided by the International Federation at the time of entry into force of the Agreement Shall notify in writing each admission or exit of a Swiss employee to audit or the said system.
I would be grateful if you would let me know if the above meets your approval. If yes, this letter and your reply will constitute an agreement by way of exchange of letters. The Agreement shall enter into force on the same date as the Headquarters Agreement. It may be terminated by either party on the first day of a calendar year, subject to twelve months' written notice ".
On behalf of the International Federation, I have the honour to confirm that your letter quoted above meets with my approval.
Please accept, Mr. Federal Councillor, the assurance of my high regard.
Mario Villarroel Lander |