An annual survey on security by ETH in Zurich reveals widespread support Switzerland’s neutrality. Since 2015, support for the principle of neutrality has remained constant at 95%. 85% feel neutrality is inseparable from the Swiss concept of the state and 60% think Switzerland’s armed neutrality contributes to security and stability in Europe. In addition, 94% […]
Switzerland – jobs that must soon be offered to locals first
From 1 July 2018, Swiss employers must present certain jobs to unemployed workers in Switzerland before offering them to foreigners. The requirement kicks in when unemployment for particular job types reaches 8% – this threshold will fall to 5% on 1 January 2020. Last week, the list of jobs with unemployment of 8% or more […]
Pay in Zurich and Geneva highest in the world
A survey of the cost of living in 77 cities, by UBS, ranks Zurich (1st) and Geneva (2nd) as the most expensive. But while these cities are the most expensive, their workers are also the highest paid. In Zurich, less than five days pay affords an iPhone X. In Geneva, the same device requires less […]
Switzerland second hardest working nation in Europe
Recent statistics show that the average full-time employee in Switzerland worked 42.6 hours a week. This is slightly less than an average Icelander (42.9) – the longest working – but 13% longer than the average in leisurely France (37.4), the european nation putting in the fewest hours. Switzerland also came second on a broader measure: […]
Switzerland drops in economic competitiveness ranking
While Switzerland remains in the top five with the same other four countries in this year’s IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, it slipped from second to fifth place. The United States rose from fourth to first, second and third places went to Hong Kong and Singapore, and fourth place to the Netherlands. America’s comeback was due […]
The Swiss town that wants to ban disposable plastic straws
The Swiss town of Neuchâtel wants to ban disposable plastic straws. The plan calls for a ban in all of the town’s bars and eateries between now and the beginning of 2019, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. The initiative, known as operation Papaille – loosely translating to no straw (paille is French for straw) […]
Go-ahead given for new mosque in Schaffhausen
According to the newspaper Blick, the administration of the Swiss town Schaffhausen has given the go-ahead for the construction of a new mosque in the town. Construction of the 12 metre high building, with a creche and separate rooms for men and women, will start this summer. It is expected to cost CHF 1.5 million […]
Majority in Valais opposed to Winter Olympics, according to poll
A poll commissioned by Swiss broadcaster RTS, suggests voters in the canton of Valais, the proposed site of Switzerland’s Winter Olympic bid, will reject the plan in the 10 June 2018 referendum. in the poll, 58% were against or fairly against the 2026 bid, estimated to cost the canton CHF 100 million. A minority of […]
High Swiss drug prices – campaign presents a solution to Swiss government
This week, the Swiss NGO Public Eye, launched a campaign for more affordable medicine in Switzerland under the slogan: protect patients, not patents. The NGO says high prices, of cancer drugs in particular, is not only an issue affecting developing nations but wealthy ones too. It says that cancer treatments in Switzerland often cost over […]
Switzerland second siren test this year
On 23 May 2018, Swiss hills will be alive, not with the sound of music but the sound of sirens. At 13:30 the nation’s emergency sirens will be sounded to ensure they are in full working order. An earlier test on 7 February 2018 revealed a software issue in the command centre. According to the […]
