Pilots at the airline SWISS could strike from 17 October 2022 if their demands are not met, reported RTS. Pilots at the airline are remunerated under a collective labour agreement. The airline recently presented an offer CHF 60 million higher than their orignal offer. However, on 16 September 2022, Aeropers, a union representing the pilots, […]
Swiss parliament validates purchase of F-35 fighter jets despite opposition
Switzerland’s government cut a deal to buy 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets for CHF 6,035 billion, but there is opposition to the purchase in some political quarters and a referendum has been launched to stop it. However, the deal expires on 31 March 2022 and a new deal is likely to be more expensive […]
Snow expected in Switzerland on Saturday
Hot on the tail of one of the hottest summer ever recorded in Switzerland comes snow. SRF weather forecasts the first snow of the winter season on Saturday 17 September 2022 at altitudes as low as 1,200m. On Saturday, the towns of Arosa and Davos should be white, said the weather forecaster. On Friday evening […]
Swiss to vote on government’s pension reform plan
Across much of the developed world pension finances are getting squeezed as populations age, baby boomers in particular. Switzerland’s government has a reform plan. However, some who don’t like it called a referendum to oppose it. Arguments for and against the changes are being aired before a vote on 25 September 2022. The proposed changes, […]
Swiss government announces wish to work more closely with NATO
On 7 September 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council published a report on its military plans, which include more antitank weapons and closer cooperation with NATO. By attacking Ukraine, Russia has destroyed the foundations of peace in Europe, wrote the Federal Council. Switzerland therefore intends to cooperate more closely with international organisations on security and defence while […]
Switzerland to use electric cars to power grid
This week, an experiment to use electric cars to stabilise the electricity grid started in Switzerland. The VX2 Swiss project, which will run for a year, will inject the power from the batteries of 50 electric vehicles into the grid while they are not being used. Run from Bern, the project brings together seven companies […]
Sharp rise in Swiss health premiums inevitable, says association
This week, less than a month before next year’s health insurance premiums are unveiled, santésuisse, a health insurance association, warned of unusually high hikes in the cost of Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance for 2023, reported RTS. Healthcare costs rose 6.4% in 2021 and are expected to rise 4% in 2022 and 2023, said santésuisse in […]
Higher than expected deaths puzzle experts in Switzerland
Since the beginning of the year, 3,000 more people than expected have died in Switzerland, something that experts are struggling to explain, reported 20 Minutes. In 2020, 1,500 more people had died than expected by the end of August. In 2021, the same number was 1,300. This year the difference is 3,000 extra deaths, more […]
Swiss electricity prices to rise as much as 280% in 2023
Next year, average electricity prices in Switzerland are set to rise 27% with significant difference depending on where you live, reported RTS. In 2023, an average household consuming 4,500 kWh a year will pay an extra CHF 261 a year for their electricity. However, there will be big differences depending on where you are. In […]
Switzerland tops latest Human Development Index
With a score of 0.962 out of 1.000, Switzerland topped the United Nation’s latest Human Development Index for 2021, a measure that includes life expectancy, education and income. The index, designed to look beyond GDP as a measure of well-being, was launched in 1990. Published on 8 September 2022, the latest report on 2021 reveals […]
