Swiss government agrees wage protection package to buttress EU deal

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland has adopted a package of measures to protect workers' pay, the government said on Friday, potentially removing an important obstacle to the country approving a new agreement aimed at deepening ties with the European Union.

The measures will be included in a consultation draft for the EU agreement, after employers' associations and trades unions and the cantons agreed to 13 steps to protect high wages in Switzerland from being undercut by EU workers.

The Swiss government said it was also proposing a further measure to add to the package.

Switzerland and the EU in December unveiled a deal to overhaul their trade ties, although there were major concerns from unions about Swiss wages coming under pressure.

The measures are aimed mainly at EU-based firms which set up operations in Switzerland and intended to protect wages.

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Dave Graham)