Five big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week
A vote for more pension payouts for retired people and efforts to limit the number of foreigners in the country, are among the Swiss news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
How could the upcoming Swiss referendum benefit retirees?
On March 3rd, Swiss citizens will go to the polls to weigh in on two retirement-related issues.
One of the proposals on the ballot calls for the payment of an additional pension, of the same amount as the ‘regular’ first-pillar AHV/AVS pension received each month.
This would correspond to a monthly hike in pensions of 8.33 percent which, supporters claim, is a necessary increase to compensate for the inflation-driven higher cost of living and lower purchasing power.
READ ALSO: How would retirees in Switzerland benefit from 13th pension payout?
Switzerland could face an anti-immigration vote
The right-wing Swiss People’s party (SVP) has gathered enough signatures to launch a national vote seeking to stop more foreigners from coming into the country.
They claim that, due to the influx of foreigners, Switzerland’s population will soon reach the 1-million mark, which would be unsustainable in terms of infrastructure such as housing, healthcare system, and public transport.
READ ALSO: Switzerland faces new anti-immigration vote
Authorities investigate antisemitic incident in Swiss Alps
Police said they had launched an investigation after reports that a ski station in the resort of Davos was refusing to rent sports equipment to Jewish tourists.
The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities also launched a legal action against the business, which posted a sign in Hebrew, saying that due to various incidents, "we no longer rent sports equipment to our Jewish brothers.”
READ ALSO: Swiss police probe anti-Semitic 'discrimination' at Davos ski station
Cross-border workers to pay higher rates for Swiss health insurance premiums
A new method of determining health insurance premiums in cantons where many cross-border workers are employed is under way in the parliament.
If it is approved— as it is expected to — local residents of border cantons will benefit from some premium reductions, while border commuters who have opted for the Swiss insurance will pay more.
READ ALSO: Why cross-border workers could pay higher Swiss health insurance premiums?
Swiss tenants are dissatisfied with government's housing plan
Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin met with representatives of cantons and municipalities, as well as construction and real estate sectors, in an effort to find solutions to Switzerland’s worsening housing problems.
Tenants associations's main complaint is that the proposed plan lacks “rapid and effective measures” focusing on remedying both the shortage and high rents.
READ ALSO: Why Swiss tenants are unhappy with plan to solve housing shortage
And if you would like to know more about Switzerland’s three-pillar pension scheme, you can find the answers here:
READ ALSO: What is Switzerland's 'third-pillar' pension and how can it benefit you?
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How could the upcoming Swiss referendum benefit retirees?
On March 3rd, Swiss citizens will go to the polls to weigh in on two retirement-related issues.
One of the proposals on the ballot calls for the payment of an additional pension, of the same amount as the ‘regular’ first-pillar AHV/AVS pension received each month.
This would correspond to a monthly hike in pensions of 8.33 percent which, supporters claim, is a necessary increase to compensate for the inflation-driven higher cost of living and lower purchasing power.
READ ALSO: How would retirees in Switzerland benefit from 13th pension payout?
Switzerland could face an anti-immigration vote
The right-wing Swiss People’s party (SVP) has gathered enough signatures to launch a national vote seeking to stop more foreigners from coming into the country.
They claim that, due to the influx of foreigners, Switzerland’s population will soon reach the 1-million mark, which would be unsustainable in terms of infrastructure such as housing, healthcare system, and public transport.
READ ALSO: Switzerland faces new anti-immigration vote
Authorities investigate antisemitic incident in Swiss Alps
Police said they had launched an investigation after reports that a ski station in the resort of Davos was refusing to rent sports equipment to Jewish tourists.
The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities also launched a legal action against the business, which posted a sign in Hebrew, saying that due to various incidents, "we no longer rent sports equipment to our Jewish brothers.”
READ ALSO: Swiss police probe anti-Semitic 'discrimination' at Davos ski station
Cross-border workers to pay higher rates for Swiss health insurance premiums
A new method of determining health insurance premiums in cantons where many cross-border workers are employed is under way in the parliament.
If it is approved— as it is expected to — local residents of border cantons will benefit from some premium reductions, while border commuters who have opted for the Swiss insurance will pay more.
READ ALSO: Why cross-border workers could pay higher Swiss health insurance premiums?
Swiss tenants are dissatisfied with government's housing plan
Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin met with representatives of cantons and municipalities, as well as construction and real estate sectors, in an effort to find solutions to Switzerland’s worsening housing problems.
Tenants associations's main complaint is that the proposed plan lacks “rapid and effective measures” focusing on remedying both the shortage and high rents.
READ ALSO: Why Swiss tenants are unhappy with plan to solve housing shortage
And if you would like to know more about Switzerland’s three-pillar pension scheme, you can find the answers here:
READ ALSO: What is Switzerland's 'third-pillar' pension and how can it benefit you?
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