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Swiss vote on proposal to give basic income to every adult and child Swiss voters reject proposal to give basic income to every adult and child
(about 7 hours later)
Switzerland is voting on a radical proposal to provide the entire population with enough money to live on. Swiss voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to give the entire population of the country enough money to live on, according to exit polls.
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. A projection provided to the public broadcaster RTS said 78% had voted against all Swiss citizens, along with foreigners who have been residents in Switzerland for at least five years, being given a universal 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 said 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 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. “If you pay people to do nothing, they will do nothing,” said Charles Wyplosz, economics professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
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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. The result comes as no surprise, however opinion polls ahead of the vote had indicated more than 70% of Swiss voters opposed the measure. The Swiss government and nearly all the country’s political parties had urged voters to reject the initiative.
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.” 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.
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. Proponents reject that suggestion, arguing that people naturally want to be productive, and a basic income would simply provide them with more flexibility to choose the activities they find most valuable.
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.
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Authorities have estimated an additional CHF25bn would be needed annually to cover the costs, requiring deep spending cuts or significant tax hikes. Ralph Kundig, one of the lead campaigners, said ahead of the vote: “For centuries this has been considered a utopia, but today it has not only become possible, but indispensible.”
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. Kundig conceded there was little chance of the initiative passing, but 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”. The amount to be paid was not determined, but the non-political group behind the initiative had suggested paying CHF2,500 (£1,765) a month to each adult, and CHF625 (£445) for each child.
Authorities have estimated an additional CHF25bn (£17.6bn) would be needed annually to cover the costs, requiring deep spending cuts or significant tax increases.