According to a recent report by the Federal Housing Office (OFL) there are an estimated 2,200 homeless residents in Switzerland and another 8,000 at risk of losing their homes. The authors of the report collected information from 616 municipalities across 22 cantons to compile the data. 616 municipalities covers around 28% of Switzerland’s total. Reasons […]
More women at head of large Swiss companies
The percentage of women in senior management positions at companies listed on the Swiss SMI and SMIM indexes rose from 13% in 2020 to 19% in 2021. The rise reflects an increase in the number of women being nominated for these positions in 2021. During the year 4 out of 10 nominees were women, according […]
Swiss government aims to cut welfare benefits paid to some foreigners
In response to rising welfare costs, Switzerland’s Federal Council has put forward a proposal to cut the amounts paid to non-EU immigrants in Switzerland, reported RTS. Between 2010 and 2019, the cost of welfare in Switzerland rose by CHF 0.9 billion to CHF 2.8 billion (+47%), straining the finances of some cantons and municipalities. The […]
The concept of a 4-day week makes headway in Switzerland
A 4-day work week on 100% pay has become a reality at some small businesses in Switzerland, reports RTS. Andreas Ott, the owner of a small graphic design studio in the canton of Aargau told the SonntagsZeitung that his clients reported no issues with staff taking Fridays off. Ott introduced the concept several years ago […]
Switzerland gave a record 100 million to World Food Programme in 2021
Over the course of 2021, Switzerland gave CHF 100 million to the World Food Programme, reported RTS, the highest annual sum the country has ever given to the programme. A key driver of the size of the payment was a growing need for international food relief. Food shortages and malnutrition affected an estimated 800 million […]
Women speak out in favour of raising retirement age for Swiss women
In Switzerland, the official state pension age is 65 for men and 64 for women. Government plans to make the retirement age 65 for both men and women have met with resistance from groups fighting against gender discrimination in Switzerland. The change would not affect women about to retire, and those born between 1960 and […]
Switzerland to follow France and investigate sexual abuse in Catholic Church
Following in the footsteps of France the Catholic Church in Switzerland recently instructed two historians to investigate sexual abuse within the organisation, reported RTS. The researchers running the investigation are from the University of Zurich. They now have the task of collecting testimony from victims which will form the basis of a report on sexual […]
Gay marriage possible in Switzerland from July 2022
From 1 July 2022, same sex couples will be able to marry or convert their registered partnerships into marriage, announced the Swiss government this week. The announcement on 17 November 2021 follows a popular vote on the subject on 26 September 2021 when 64.1% voted in favour same sex marriage. The new law will be […]
Football: Switzerland makes it through to 2022 World Cup
On 15 November 2021, Switzerland won 4-0 against Bulgaria in Luzern, making Switzerland the winning team in its group, reported Le Matin. The win on Monday means Switzerland has a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The quadrennial football match will see 32 national teams compete between 21 November and 18 December 2022. […]
Domestic violence widespread in Switzerland, according to survey
According to a recent study, 42% of women and 24% of men reported being subject to violence by their partner in Switzerland. Across both groups the percentage was 33%. The survey, run by Sotomo on behalf of the National Federation for women’s solidarity, questioned 3,597 people across Switzerland. The National Federation for women’s solidarity provides […]
