A report published this week, shows welfare rates in 2023 were at their lowest in many years. At the same time, the percentage of those receiving welfare in mental distress is rising. Across the 14 cities included in the report, social assistance rates are lower than they have been for a long time. The number […]
Switzerland’s Socialist Party wants government to buy drug company
This week, the Socialist Party called on the Swiss government to buy Sandoz, a large maker of generic and biosimilar drugs, reported SRF. At a time when there are shortages of certain medicines, the party argues that profit maximising companies cannot be relied on to produce the drugs needed by the population at affordable prices. […]
Widespread discrimination and abuse in Swiss army revealed in survey
The results of a survey published on 31 October 2024 show widespread discrimination and abuse in Switzerland’s military. The survey was aimed at gauging the level of discrimination and abuse within the Swiss military and focused in particular on discrimination and abuse against women. Unlike men, women in Switzerland are not forced to do military […]
Zurich wants to charge more to park large cars
This week, the leaders of the municipality of Zurich voted in favour of charging large car owners more for resident parking permits, reported SRF. The prices of resident parking permits are set to be calculated based on vehicle weight. A similar charging model has already been introduced in the city of Biel/Bienne. In Zurich, owners […]
Swiss National Bank to issue new money
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has started the process of issuing a new series of banknotes by launching a design competition, it announced this week. The new banknotes will not be issued until the early 2030s at the earliest, said the bank. The new series will be dedicated to the unique topography of Switzerland and […]
FILM: ANORA **** brilliantly written and directed
1 November 2024. By Neptune We are lucky to have exceptional films coming at us in droves, for it’s the season leading up to the award shows. The superb “Conclave” will be out in early December and “Gladiator II” will also be soon released. Take full advantage of these gems. ANORA **** This film is […]
Switzerland exploring new form of burial
In Switzerland, 90% of people opt to have their remains cremated. The other 10% opt for burial. However, traditional burial contaminates soil and takes up valuable space. While cremation consumes significant energy and pollutes the air. Four women who created the organisation Werde Erde hope to make compost burial an option, reported SRF. When someone […]
Put your mushrooms in the sun for an autumn vitamin D boost
One source of vitamin D is sunlight. Sunlight interacts with our skin to produce it. As winter approaches, the amount of sunlight we are exposed to and its intensity falls. This means that during the winter, we are more reliant on getting vitamin D from what we eat. Mushrooms are a key source. However, the […]
10-step guide to hiring an employee in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.business. For startups and small companies, hiring and onboarding new employees can be a real hassle. In Switzerland especially, there is a significant amount of admin to deal with. The following is a guide to all the tasks involved in this process. A summarised list of the administrative tasks associated with […]
Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and naturalisation. Before 2019, formal testing of language ability was not typical. Since then it has been formalised and standardised across cantons […]