Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

‘You must leave Switzerland’: government warns against a fake immigration letter A number of foreign nationals, especially in the German-speaking part of the country, have received an official-looking letter, purportedly from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) informing them that the Free Movement of People agreement between Switzerland and the EU has been lifted, and therefore “your residence permit has been revoked.” Faced with enquiries from concerned recipients, SEM said the letters are fake, and has advised recipients to ignore it and, above all, not to click on the QR code on the top. Swiss consumers have more money, less purchasing power In 2023, nominal wages in Switzerland have increased more than in the previous four years. However, inflation has eroded purchasing power. This is a finding of a Swiss Wage Index study published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Thursday. https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home.gnpdetail.2024-0121.html In general, the increase in nominal wages in 2023, was slightly less strong than the evolution of inflation last year. The increase in prices, linked in particular to the higher electricity and energy costs, as well as the increase in rents, resulted in inflation of 2.1 percent at the end of 2023. Therefore, the purchasing power of wages had decreased by 0.4 percent on average. https://www.watson.ch/fr/economie/salaire/288056515-les-salaires-reels-ont-baisse-en-suisse-en-2023 Migros will sell hamburgers made from beer waste Swiss brewery Chopfab has teamed up with a start-up company to produce vegan burgers. They will be made from beer by-products. The basic idea is simple: brewing beer generates waste called “dregs.” Rather than throwing them away, they will find a second life in a meatless burger. “This process would be unique in the world and would guarantee both the impeccable freshness, texture and aroma of meat alternatives,” the manufacturer said. https://www.watson.ch/fr/suisse/migros/383582143-migros-va-vendre-de-la-viande-vegane-faite-avec-de-la-biere Ahead this weekend : On Sunday, the Landsgemeinde, one of Switzerland’s oldest tradition of direct democracy will take place in Appenzell-Innerrhoden, one of only two cantons where this custom is still practices (the other one is Glarus, where this eve will be held on May 5.) Local citizens will at noon in Appenzell city’s town square, and will vote on matters of local importance by show of hands. Foreign residents worried about a letter revoking their residency permits; Swiss salaries are up but they don't go far; and more news in our roundup on Friday. and more news in our roundup on