Tag Archive: Editor’s Choice

Bern against federal plan to subsidise health insurance 

2022-12-05

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2022-12-05

A federal initiative aimed at subsidising health insurance premiums once they exceed 10% of disposable income met with resistance in Bern this week, reported RTS.

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No rise in Switzerland’s rent rate

2022-12-03

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2022-12-03

Every three months the rate of interest used to set the rents in Switzerland is reviewed. If it goes down some renters have the right to request a decrease in rent. If it goes up landlords can push up rents. This time the rate remained at 1.25%, however it looks set to rise next year.

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Pay rise agreed for Switzerland’s public sector workers

2022-12-02

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2022-12-02

On 2 December 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council agreed to boost the salaries of those working for the federal government by 2.5% in 2023.

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Swiss rents set to rise as much as 15 percent

2022-11-29

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2022-11-29

Close to half of renters is Switzerland could face significant increases in rent, estimates Zürich Kantonalbank (ZKB), with rents potentially rising as much as 15% over the next five years, reported the newspaper Blick.

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Inter-cantonal tax transfers to rise 5 percent in 2023

2022-11-19

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2022-11-19

On 16 November 2022, Switzerland’s federal government announced the sums that will be transferred between the nation’s statelets or cantons in 2023, a mechanism aimed at ensuring wealthy cantons support those with weaker economies.

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Vote on pension reform most divisive in Swiss history

2022-11-12

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2022-11-12

Switzerland’s recent vote on state pension reform on 25 September 2022, divided men and women, reported RTS.

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Swiss construction workers protest over hours and pay

2022-11-12

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2022-11-12

After construction workers went out on strike for two days in French-speaking Switzerland, construction workers protested in Zurich over hours and pay on 11 November 2022, reported RTS. Photo by Rodolfo Quirós on Pexels.comWith inflation in Switzerland running at 3%, construction workers are demanding higher pay. However, the construction industry has responded with an offer of better pay tied to higher maximum hours. The industry would like...

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Bank predicts home rent rises in Switzerland

2022-11-11

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2022-11-11

According to the bank Raiffeisen, a future rental housing crisis is likely in Switzerland as the home vacancy rate moves below 1% in 2024, reported 20 Minutes.

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No price rises for Swiss public transport in 2023

2022-11-01

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2022-11-01

For the seventh consecutive year, the price of tickets on Swiss public transport will remain unchanged. It will also become easier to buy tickets for bicycles and canine companions, reported RTS.

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Two votes launched against Swiss tax and pension mariage penalty

2022-10-23

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2022-10-23

In Switzerland, it pays not to be married. Married couples pay higher taxes and receive lower state pensions than unmarried couples. Two referenda were launched this week to change this, reported RTS.

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Swiss state employee pay and numbers should be cut, argues party

2022-10-22

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2022-10-22

The Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) argued this week that the CHF 6 billion spent on state employees should be cut, reported 20 Minutes.

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Swiss state pensions to get a boost in 2023

2022-10-18

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2022-10-18

On 12 October 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced an increase in state pensions from 1 January 2023 by 2.5%.

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Inflation turns negative in Switzerland in September

2022-10-07

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2022-10-07

In September 2022, Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.2% compared with the previous month, according to data from Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

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Swiss housing market tightens further in 2022

2022-09-20

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2022-09-20

Data published on 12 September 2022 show how the pool of available housing continues to shrink in Switzerland.

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Swiss electricity prices to rise as much as 280% in 2023

2022-09-12

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2022-09-12

Next year, average electricity prices in Switzerland are set to rise 27% with significant difference depending on where you live, reported RTS. In 2023, an average household consuming 4,500 kWh a year will pay an extra CHF 261 a year for their electricity.

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Swiss government launches energy saving campaign

2022-09-05

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2022-09-05

On 31 August 2022, Switzerland’s federal government launched its campaign to cut energy consumption to reduce the risks of an energy shortfall over the coming winter.

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Switzerland’s population older than ever, shows recent data

2022-08-28

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2022-08-28

In Switzerland, almost 1.7 million people were aged 65 or older at the end of 2021, a figure that makes up 19% of the population, according to data published on 28 August 2022.

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Winter electricity cuts feared, says head of Swiss commission

2022-08-18

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2022-08-18

Electricity cuts lasting several hours are predicted this winter in Switzerland, according to Laurianne Altwegg, vice president of the Federal Electricity Commission. This winter we should ensure we have enough candles and wood for a wood stove for those who have one, advised Altwegg in an interview with RTS.

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Switzerland may have passed 6th Covid peak

2022-07-23

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2022-07-23

Data published this week on 19 July 2022, suggest that 6th wave Covid-19 infections in Switzerland may have peaked. Data published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health show 46,099 new cases over the 7 days to 18 July 2022. Over the prior 7 days there were 55,339 cases. Recorded cases have dropped 17% week on week.

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The online retail fraud made possible by Swiss billing system

2022-07-12

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2022-07-12

In Switzerland it is possible to order goods online without paying up front. Retailers will send orders with a payment slip included with the goods. Fraudsters are exploiting this quirk of Swiss postal retail.

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