Cluster: Democracy

Most EU benefit seekers are ‘working poor’

This content was published on Apr 4, 2014 According to a report by the House of Representatives control committee, published on Friday, more than half of the people from the European Union drawing social benefits in Switzerland were neither unemployed nor looking for work, but were the so-called “working poor” on low wages. Those working in the construction and hotel industries, in the…

Democracy

Democratic? The canton where voting is compulsory

This content was published on Apr 4, 2014 Canton Schaffhausen’s parliament voted on March 17 to double the penalty to CHF6 ($6.6). This may seem a small amount, but for the region’s proud authorities and residents, it has a symbolic value. It is a sunny spring morning as the train pulls into Schaffhausen station. We have already passed the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest…

Democracy

Immigration vote result highlights Swiss unease

This content was published on Apr 3, 2014 The VOX analysis shows that the vote, which was 50.3% in favour of the initiative, was marked by a strong left-right opposition. Supporters of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party voted massively in favour of the proposal to limit immigration from the European Union – a stance mirrored by the members of the centre-left Social Democratic…

Democracy

Germany’s president questions Swiss voting system

This content was published on Apr 1, 2014 On the first day of his two-day state visit to Switzerland, Gauck held talks with this year’s Swiss president, Didier Burkhalter and Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. Burkhalter countered Gauck’s criticism by emphasising that direct democracy is a cornerstone of Swiss culture and brings with it the necessity to accept when the majority votes against the…

Democracy

H&M to introduce new minimum wage

This content was published on Mar 31, 2014 The leading clothing shop has raised the minimum amount it will pay staff to the level called for by the trade union, Unia, in an initiative which will go to a nationwide vote on May 18. The group has been lobbying various fashion shops to improve pay to this level for years. H&M told swissinfo.ch that…

Democracy

Immigration vote weighs on economic forecast

This content was published on Mar 28, 2014 According to KOF’s latest economic forecast, Swiss gross domestic product will expand by 2% this year and 2.1% in 2015 with a recovery of the global economy boosting exports. This represents a slight reduction of 0.2% on previous forecasts made in December. The institute said the approval by 50.3% of voters of a popular initiative…

Democracy

Swiss-Swedish plane deal fires up vote campaign

This content was published on Mar 28, 2014 A memorandum of understanding to produce and deliver about 20 PC-21 trainer planes has been signed, according to statements published in Stans and Linköping on Friday. It added that Pilatus and Saab aimed to create about 100 new jobs in the aerospace sector for the production of PC-21, the Gripen and other aircraft types made…

Democracy

Financial officers worried by immigration vote

This content was published on Mar 27, 2014 Of the 111 companies surveyed by consultants Deloitte, 88% said they expected negative consequences to befall Switzerland as a result of the February 9 vote. Only 6% expected positive outcomes. In addition, 69% of CFOs anticipated negative fallout for their own businesses, while 29% didn’t expect anything to change after the decision to re-establish quotas…

Democracy

Community doctors hope for a shot in the arm

This content was published on Mar 27, 2014 General practitioners have lobbied hard to get the government and parliament to draw up a legal reform, as well as a series of measures to boost the role of community doctors, the cornerstone of primary healthcare. The issue has been bubbling for a number of years. From 2006 GPs began calling for new measures to…

Democracy

Swiss voters may impose a minimum wage on industry

This content was published on Mar 25, 2014 Whether it is fat-cat salaries or the plight of the working poor, rates of pay have been a recurrent focus in recent political debate in Switzerland. The upcoming vote on May 18 is the third time in just over a year that Swiss voters are being called upon to decide how much – or how…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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Most EU benefit seekers are ‘working poor’

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Democratic? The canton where voting is compulsory

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Immigration vote result highlights Swiss unease

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Germany’s president questions Swiss voting system

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H&M to introduce new minimum wage

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Immigration vote weighs on economic forecast

More

Swiss-Swedish plane deal fires up vote campaign

More

Financial officers worried by immigration vote

More

Community doctors hope for a shot in the arm

More

Swiss voters may impose a minimum wage on industry

Popular Stories

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