Voters Switzerland have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have meant introducing a guaranteed basic monthly income all citizens. The referendum took place Sunday and resulted almost 77 per cent voters opposing the plan. The idea was to provide a minimum salary to those who have been a citizen for least five years, whether they worked or not. It was suggested the monthly amount could be $2,500. The group behind the proposal argued that the initiative was necessary to overhaul Switzerland's social welfare system. A spokesperson said it would help fight poverty and inequality. He added that it would provide a top-up people who earned less than the minimum wage.
Supporters the plan argued that because work was becoming increasingly automated Switzerland, there were fewer jobs available workers. Che Wagner the campaign group Basic Income Switzerland argued that the monthly income would not be money nothing. He said: "In Switzerland, over 50 per cent total work that is done is unpaid. It's care work. It's home. It's different communities, so that work would be more valued a basic income." Opponents said it would cause the country many immigration problems. Luzi Stamm the Swiss People's Party said: "You would have billions people who would try to move Switzerland."
