Swiss Politics

Men still earn a quarter more than women

This content was published on Jun 23, 2009 The authorities, as well as employers’ representatives and unions, have joined together for the first time to begin discussions aimed at stamping out discriminatory practices over the next five years. The concept of equal pay has been written in the law since 1996, and has been in the Swiss constitution since 1981. But those working…

Swiss Politics

Merz and Steinbrück agree to tax negotiations

This content was published on Jun 23, 2009 The talks on Monday evening came on the eve of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) anti-tax haven conference in Berlin. Merz informed the Germans that Switzerland would comply with Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention. This means Switzerland will provide assistance on tax evasion cases. Switzerland wants to seal double…

Swiss Politics

Unions promote short-time work

This content was published on Jun 22, 2009 The Swiss Trade Union Federation, which represents about 380,000 employees in 16 different sectors, said that short-time work was a viable option to prevent collective dismissals. The federation urged the authorities to extend the period of short-time work, where employees agree to work fewer hours than usual, from 18 months to 24 months. Companies which…

Swiss Politics

Mother tongue of new minister divides Swiss

This content was published on Jun 21, 2009 The results of a survey found a majority of German speakers saying language is not an issue when choosing a successor to French-speaking Couchepin, while Swiss French and Swiss Italians beg to differ. The findings were published in three Sunday newspapers, SonntagsBlick, Le Matin Dimanche and Il Caffè – one in each of Switzerland’s main…

Swiss Politics

Human Rights body finds itself on shaky ground

This content was published on Jun 21, 2009 Diplomats and non-governmental organisations have expressed concern over efforts by some states, including Cuba, China and Brazil, to muzzle independent reporting. An open letter was addressed to the Council on June 11 by 35 organisations including Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW). “We are witnessing an aggressive strategy against the Council’s mandate, through…

Swiss Politics

US and Switzerland agree to new tax treaty

This content was published on Jun 19, 2009 The Swiss finance ministry announced on Friday afternoon that the two sides had come to an understanding, although the specifics of the agreement were not released. The accord will be made public once it has been signed at the ministerial level in both countries. It will also need the backing of the Swiss cantons. Once…

Swiss Politics

Justice minister puts facts ahead of emotion

This content was published on Jun 19, 2009 In an interview with swissinfo.ch, the minister also stated that Switzerland would not accept any Guantanamo detainees who pose a security threat. Other topics included when police should be able to publish pictures of suspects on the internet and the dangers of doing so. Talks are taking place amid a controversial request from the United…

Swiss Politics

Swiss envoy gets earful from Tehran

This content was published on Jun 17, 2009 The Iranian foreign ministry communicated its “protest and displeasure” to Livia Leu Agosti, according to the Fars News Agency. Switzerland represents the interests of the US in the Islamic Republic. Late on Wednesday, the Swiss foreign ministry confirmed the meeting had taken place, but refused to comment on the contents of the letter intended for…

Swiss Politics

Iran after the elections

This content was published on Jun 17, 2009 According to the official results of the Iranian presidential elections, incumbant president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected on Friday June 12 with 63 per cent of the vote, well ahead of moderate candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi. Discontented Moussavi supporters took to the streets when the results were announced.

Support for Swiss soldiers off Somali coast

This content was published on Jun 17, 2009 The security committee of the Swiss House of Representatives has backed the engagement of 30 soldiers to support the European Union anti-piracy operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia. The cabinet agreed to a military escort force in February. The committee approved military action on the basis of existing military law, seeing no need for…

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Men still earn a quarter more than women

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Merz and Steinbrück agree to tax negotiations

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Unions promote short-time work

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Mother tongue of new minister divides Swiss

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Human Rights body finds itself on shaky ground

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US and Switzerland agree to new tax treaty

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Justice minister puts facts ahead of emotion

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Swiss envoy gets earful from Tehran

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Iran after the elections

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Support for Swiss soldiers off Somali coast

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