SWITZERLAND: Swiss Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs Opposes a Federal Initiative for Basic Income

After taking a vote, the Swiss Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs proposes to its board the recommendation that people and policy makers reject the popular initiative for an unconditional basic income as they believe that the acceptance of this initiative could challenge existing social security systems and be difficult on the Swiss economy.

Next, the issue will come before the National Council and then the Council of States, with both issuing a recommendation. A public referendum will be held in fall 2016.

For more information about the vote and the committee’s recommendation, see here:

Christian Muller & Daniel Straub. “Alert” Volksinitiative für ein bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen. May 29, 2015.

Secretariat of the Commissions for Social Security and Health. “Media Release”. The Federal Assembly. May 29, 2015