A committee of Switzerland’s Council of States wants to introduce an immigration levy on workers from the European Union if migration rises sharply after the Bilateral Agreements III enter into force, reported RTS. Andrea Caroni, a member of the Council of States, says the measure could be used only after the Federal Council had successfully […]
Swiss unions want a 2% pay rise. Employers are unconvinced
With inflation running at just 0.4%, the battle over wages in 2027 may be as much about productivity growth as lost purchasing power. In any case Switzerland’s wage negotiations for 2027 are shaping up to be contentious. Travail.Suisse, a trade-union federation, is demanding an across-the-board pay rise of 2%. The Swiss Employers’ Association, by contrast, […]
Federal government sets new rules on 30km/h zones
At parliament’s request, the Federal Council said on Wednesday that, from October 1st, municipalities wishing to lower the limit on main roads will have to show that the change will not divert traffic into residential neighbourhoods, reported RTS. An expert assessment will be required to demonstrate that the lower limit is unlikely to cause undesirable […]
Rejection of wage protection measures risks Swiss-EU deal
With parliament due to debate Switzerland’s package of agreements with the European Union next month, a committee in the upper house has rejected measures intended to protect wages, reported RTS. One has become particularly contentious: stronger safeguards for workers’ representatives against unfair dismissal. Trade unions now warn that they may oppose the agreements altogether. The […]
Switzerland’s neutrality campaign kicks off ahead of September vote
Supporters of the “Safeguard Swiss Neutrality” initiative launched their campaign in Bern on Tuesday, arguing that a Yes vote on September 27th is needed to prevent the country’s neutrality from being steadily eroded, reported RTS. Walter Wobmann, a Solothurn MP from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), presented the campaign to the media. As president of […]
Switzerland’s bloodiest divide no longer seen as its greatest historical threat
Asked recently which conflict had historically posed the greatest threat to national cohesion, 28% of Swiss respondents chose the struggle between the working class and the better-off, while 25% pointed to the divide between town and country. Older—and arguably more consequential—fault-lines ranked lower: 18% selected the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and 13% cited the […]
Backers of the safe food initiative accuse government of deception and demand a retraction
The backers of Switzerland’s Safe Food initiative have lodged an appeal against the Federal Council and the Federal Chancellery, accusing them of misrepresenting the proposal in the official booklet for the vote on September 27th, RTS reported. The appeal was filed on Thursday with the government of the canton of Bern by Franziska Herren, an […]
Fireworks ban exemptions prompt accusations of double standards
Ahead of Switzerland’s national day on August 1st, fireworks have generally been banned due to the risk of forest fires, although official displays are still permitted in some places, reports SRF. With Switzerland parched by drought, almost every canton has imposed restrictions on open fires and fireworks. Yet some authorities are allowing large official displays […]
Swiss mothers push for six months of maternity leave
A petition signed by more than 110,000 people is calling for maternity leave in Switzerland to be extended from 14 weeks to six months, reported RTS. The petition was submitted to the Federal Chancellery on Monday. Its organisers argue that the 98 days currently granted are insufficient during the first months of a child’s life. […]
Swiss plans to tighten foreign property ownership divide opinion
The Swiss government’s proposal to tighten the Lex Koller, which restricts property purchases by foreigners, has exposed a sharp divide between political parties and business groups. Parties on the left and the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) argue that the reforms would close longstanding loopholes in the law, reported RTS. Business organisations and most centrist parties […]
