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Swiss vote on proposal to give basic income to every adult and child Swiss vote on proposal to give basic income to every adult and child
(about 3 hours later)
Switzerland is voting on Sunday on a radical proposal to provide the entire population with enough money to live on. Switzerland is voting on a radical proposal to provide the entire population with enough money to live on.
Voters are being asked whether they want all Swiss citizens, along with foreigners who have been resident in Switzerland for at least five years, to receive an unconditional basic income, or UBI. Voters are being asked on Sunday whether they want all Swiss citizens, along with foreigners who have been resident in Switzerland for at least five years, to receive an unconditional basic income, or UBI.
Supporters say providing such an income would help fight poverty and inequality in a world where good jobs with steady salaries are becoming harder to find.Supporters say providing such an income would help fight poverty and inequality in a world where good jobs with steady salaries are becoming harder to find.
The idea is controversial, to say the least. The Swiss government and nearly all the country’s political parties have urged voters to reject the initiative – advice which 71% are inclined to follow, according to the latest poll. The Swiss government and nearly all the country’s political parties have urged voters to reject the initiative – advice which 71% are inclined to follow, according to the latest poll.
Critics have called the initiative “a Marxist dream”, warning of sky-high costs and people quitting their jobs in droves, to the detriment of the economy. Critics have called the initiative “a Marxist dream”, warning of sky-high costs and people quitting their jobs in droves, to the detriment of the economy. “If you pay people to do nothing, they will do nothing,” said Charles Wyplosz, economics professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Related: Swiss voters reject nationalist plan to expel foreigners for minor crimesRelated: Swiss voters reject nationalist plan to expel foreigners for minor crimes
“If you pay people to do nothing, they will do nothing,” said Charles Wyplosz, economics professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Proponents reject that suggestion, arguing that people naturally want to be productive, and a basic income would simply provide them more flexibility to choose the activities they find most valuable.
Proponents reject that, arguing that people naturally want to be productive, and a basic income would simply provide them more flexibility to choose the activities they find most valuable.
Ralph Kundig, one of the lead campaigners, said: “For centuries this has been considered a utopia, but today it has not only become possible, but indispensible.”Ralph Kundig, one of the lead campaigners, said: “For centuries this has been considered a utopia, but today it has not only become possible, but indispensible.”
The amount to be paid has yet to be determined, but the non-political group behind the initiative has suggested paying 2,500 Swiss francs (£1,765) a month to each adult, and Fr625 (£445) for each child. The amount to be paid has yet to be determined, but the non-political group behind the initiative has suggested paying CHF2,500 (£1,765) a month to each adult, and CHF625 for each child.
That may sound a lot, but it is barely enough to get by on in one of the world’s priciest nations – leaving plenty of incentive to work, campaigners say.That may sound a lot, but it is barely enough to get by on in one of the world’s priciest nations – leaving plenty of incentive to work, campaigners say.
Related: Swiss to vote in referendum on world's highest minimum wageRelated: Swiss to vote in referendum on world's highest minimum wage
Authorities have estimated an additional Fr25bn (£17.6bn) would be needed annually to cover the costs, requiring deep spending cuts or significant tax hikes. Authorities have estimated an additional CHF25bn would be needed annually to cover the costs, requiring deep spending cuts or significant tax hikes.
Supporters of the initiative, however, suggest that the UBI could replace a range of other expensive social assistance programmes and could be easily financed through slight increases in sales tax or through a small fee on electronic transactions. Supporters of the initiative, however, suggest the UBI could replace a range of other expensive social assistance programmes and could be easily financed through slight increases in sales tax or through a small fee on electronic transactions.
There is little chance of the initiative passing, but Kundig said that “just getting a broad public debate started on this important issue is a victory”.There is little chance of the initiative passing, but Kundig said that “just getting a broad public debate started on this important issue is a victory”.