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Jet-set pets get their own Swiss passport

This content was published on Nov 29, 2004 While it might be difficult for immigrants to Switzerland to gain the much-coveted Swiss passport, it’s a different story for man’s best friend. Complete with a white cross on a red background and the word “Switzerland” written in five different languages, the Pet Passport will make it possible for Swiss pets to enter European Union…

Hope of medical progress carries vote

This content was published on Nov 28, 2004 Two-thirds of voters came out in favour of the proposal, but turnout was low at 36 per cent. A committee of renowned scientists said the result was a vote of confidence in medical research and a positive sign for Switzerland as a centre for science and research. It said voters had rejected an outright ban…

Voters say yes to stem-cell research

This content was published on Nov 28, 2004 In a nationwide poll on Sunday, voters also gave their support to two other government proposals: reform of the federal system, and a renewal of the federal authorities’ mandate to levy taxes. The new law on stem-cell research won the backing of 66.4 per cent of Swiss voters. In French-speaking western Switzerland the percentage was…

Business leaders call for sweeping tax reforms

This content was published on Nov 26, 2004 The Swiss business federation, economiesuisse, issued the warning at a conference on Friday, called to promote a comparative study of tax regimes described as the first of its kind. Co-author Pascal Gentinetta said the study showed that international taxation – particularly corporate taxes – had become an “extremely dynamic, fast-changing field” and that Switzerland could…

Swiss Post and union to start talks

This content was published on Nov 26, 2004 The union says it has suspended industrial action for the time being, after Swiss Post agreed to discuss a compromise proposal put forward by workers’ representatives. At the heart of the dispute – and the strike action – is a plan by Swiss Post to set up independent subsidiaries to carry out some of its…

Quarter of a million workers live in poverty

This content was published on Nov 26, 2004 More than seven per cent of the workforce were unable to get by on their salaries in 2003 – up one per cent on the previous year. In a statement released on Friday, the Federal Statistics Office said this amounted to at least 231,000 workers aged 20-59. In all, 137,000 households, comprising 513,000 people and…

Exports fuel Swiss economic growth

This content was published on Nov 26, 2004 While the global economy remained sluggish, growth in the export sector fuelled a 0.4 per cent rise in Switzerland’s gross domestic product (GDP). The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said on Friday that exports of goods rose by one per cent from July to September, while imports increased by 2.5 per cent. “Economic expansion…

Government stands by growth targets

This content was published on Nov 26, 2004 The forecast comes despite concerns that rising oil prices could have a negative impact on economic expansion. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said in its latest forecast on Friday that recovery in Switzerland would gain momentum next year. “We remain confident that after three years of stagnation the modest recovery will strengthen,” said…

Farmers expect worse to come

This content was published on Nov 25, 2004 But the farmers’ union says its members are having a tough time and that they need more help to cope with falling prices and the removal of government supports. Presenting its report on Thursday, the Federal Agriculture Office said the situation for farmers had remained stable during the period from 1999 to 2003. This was…

Protests point to growing union unrest

This content was published on Nov 25, 2004 In an interview with swissinfo, the co-president of Switzerland’s largest trade union discusses the latest demonstrations with a leading economics commentator. Vasco Pedrina is co-president of Unia, formed last month from a merger of four trade unions from the construction, engineering, retail and catering sector. It counts 200,000 members and claims to represent over one…

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