Swiss vote in referendum on. Unconditional basic income – Puls Biznesu

The authors of the initiative proposed in discussions to every adult resident in Switzerland, regardless of their income received monthly from the state untaxed amount of 2.5 thousand. francs, while those aged up to 18 years – 625 francs.

“It is a dream a long time, but now it has become” indispensable “in the face of high unemployment due to the growing robotics” – explains one of the initiators of the referendum Ralph Kunig .

the government and most political parties consider the idea of ​​a utopian and too expensive – writes the agency AFP.

“the idea is noble, but I do not think our society could itself today allow it “- he rated in an interview with AFP 45-year-old clerk from Geneva. “I’m skeptical,” – he added.

Requirements to the referendum question concerns only the introduction of such benefit, not his height, which – as formulated presented a draft amendment to the Constitution – “is to enable the whole of society worthy of human existence and participation in the public life “.

Sunday’s vote takes place as a result of a social campaign, during which up to October 2013 were collected over 126 thousand. signatures. However, both chambers of the parliament rejected the initiative by a large majority, making a referendum inevitable.

Campaigners wanted to catch his initiative to international attention, and even created a poster larger than a football field with the words “What would you do if your income was protected ? ‘. Poster was shown in Geneva, Berlin and via video link in New York.

The Swiss government advised citizens to vote against the initiative. He noted that the introduction of a basic income would ensure that for certain groups – for example, receiving the lowest wages or working part-time – gainful employment cease to be financially attractive.

According to government calculations of the implementation of the initiative would cost an annual 208 billion francs, the vast majority of these costs would cover the transfer of funds allocated so far for other purposes, including social benefits. There would, however, avoid the need to subsidize the budget each year the amount of 25 billion francs, which would be needed substantial savings or tax increases.