Reasons for transformation

The economic challenges will continue to increase in the coming years. Competition between locations is intensifying, while the world of work is changing rapidly. The digital transformation, more flexible and location-independent work models and the labour shortage pose major challenges for companies, the labour market and the economy as a whole.

In order to be optimally equipped and increase the agility of reactions to these developments in the Canton of Zurich, the existing economic and labour market competencies in the current Office for Economy and Labour with its broad range of services need to be strengthened organisationally. At the request of the Department for Economic Affairs, the Zurich Government Council in the summer of 2022 therefore decided to transform the Office for Economy and Labour into two independent Offices as of 1 January 2024. This will bundle the services and strengthen the focus on the business location and the labour market.

Office for Economic Affairs

The new Office for Economy (AWI) will include the areas of Business and Economic Development, Work Permits, Work Conditions and National Economy (comprising the National Economy unit, the Housing Subsidy unit and National Economic Supply). The following managers will assume responsibility for the individual areas:

Office for Labour

The new Office for Labour (AFA) will be responsible for the Labour Market, Unemployment Insurance and Unemployment Insurance Fund. The following managers will assume responsibility for the individual areas:

The new Offices will be operational from 1 January 2024.