On 21 May 2017, Swiss will vote on the Energy Act, a body of law put together in September 2016. The plan, supported by a Swiss parliamentary majority of 120 to 72, and a an upper house (Council of States) majority of 35 to 6, will be put to a public vote in a couple […]
Unemployment benefit scam rocks Vaud
24 Heures. Last week, the regional newspaper 24 Heures, uncovered a fraudulent scheme allegedly involving two workers from the union Unia, which may have cost Vaud’s social security system as much as CHF 3 million. The alleged fraud is centred on the construction industry, where bosses of small businesses along with two staff from the […]
Swiss employees the best paid in Europe, according to study
Le Matin. According to a recent study, employees in certain roles in Switzerland are paid around 50% more than those second-placed Luxembourg. The premium applies to recent hires, middle managers and qualified professionals, says the study conducted by Willis Tower Watson. The report, entitled Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report 2016/2017, looks at pay across 50 roles and […]
Beer protects gut wall, suggests Swiss research
Le Matin. Researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) think they have discovered the protective power of hops. A molecule in hops appears to strengthen a membrane formed from cells of the intestinal wall. This wall forms a barrier between what is ingested and what is absorbed and can prevent the absorption […]
Thousands of cross-border workers risk big bills for health insurance
Tribune de Genève. Thousands of cross-border workers working in the canton of Geneva, who have not yet formally sorted out their health insurance situation, risk getting a big bill. This week the canton made a final call to those living in France and working in Geneva to make a formal choice between the French and […]
Commission calls for stricter integration requirements for foreigners in Switzerland
Le Matin. A Swiss government commission decided last week that recent legal changes to help temporary permit holders qualify for permanent residency in Switzerland are not strict enough when it comes to integration requirements. Foreigners on temporary permits have been in the firing line in Switzerland for some time. Because returning to their home country often isn’t possible, a […]
Insects now on Swiss menus
Last year, Switzerland’s federal government announced plans to authorise the commercialisation of insects and worms as domestic food products, and the new law came into effect this week on 1 May 2017. According to 24 Heures, supermarket Coop will launch a new range of insect-based products this month. High in protein, insects come with a […]
A 55 year-old man born in Switzerland set to be expelled
20 Minutes. According to 20 Minutes, a Swiss court recently ruled that a 55 year-old Spanish citizen with a long criminal record, must leave Switzerland. The man found himself in front of a judge for the first time at the age of 17 for bodily injury. Following that he was tried for theft, drug offenses, […]
Anti-cowbell campaigner eventually gets Swiss passport
According to the Aargauer Zeitung, Nancy Holten, a 43 year old dutch citizen who had her Swiss citizenship application rejected twice by the commune of Gipf-Oberfick where she lives with her three Swiss daughters, recently learned that the canton of Aargau had overruled the commune’s decision, clearing the way for her to become a Swiss citizen. […]
Geneva looking at getting rid of dozens of traffic lights
According to Swiss Broadcaster RTS, Geneva plans to replace traffic lights with stop or yield signs at around 25 intersections. The plan is designed to improve traffic fluidity. The information was obtained by the newspaper 20 Minutes, and later confirmed by the news agency ATS, which spoke with Yann Gerdil-Margueron, spokesperson for the Department for […]
