For those hoping for a basic income in the country, the referendum was rejected by voters with only 23 percent of voters in favor of the bill.
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The group behind the initiative has suggested paying Sf2,500 ($2,500) a month to each adult – considerably less than most workers earn – and Sf625 for each child.
Of Switzerland’s 14 major political parties, none expressed support for the proposal, brought to the ballot by a popular initiative, which requires 100,000 signatures to trigger a country-wide vote.
The Labour party has joined a growing list of organisations considering the possibility of backing a universal basic income after shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the party is “closely looking” at the idea. It would also aim to replace, in part, the existing welfare system and involve a “profound revolution in the way income support is organised”. Matt Zwolinski, an associate professor of philosophy at the University of San Diego, writes in an essay for the Cato Institute.
Proponents also say a BIG would ensure a passionate workforce, innovation, and suitable working conditions. If we want a system that makes work pay and does something to tackle the appalling levels of poverty in the United Kingdom, then we need to think radically.
And other opponents say a guaranteed basic income would cause worldwide implications.
Final results in the referendum showed 76.9 per cent of voters opposed the initiative to provide an unconditional, basic income to each Swiss national, along with foreigners who have been legal residents for at least five years.
Politicians were also quick to point out that a universal basic income in one country with relatively high levels of immigration would open Switzerland up to welfare tourism, and therefore would never become a realistic prospect.
Luzi Stamm, who represents the right-leaning Swiss People’s Party in parliament, said to the BBC, “Theoretically, if Switzerland were an island, the answer is yes”.
Compared to its European counterparts, Switzerland’s economy is faring well.
In Switzerland, unemployment rate in only around 3.5%, and fewer than 7% of the people lived in poverty in 2014, official data said.
The tiny, land-locked country is the first to hold a national referendum on the income issue. Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, India and Brazil are all considering basic income in some form.
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Supporters have offered no ideas how the proposals would be funded, suggesting it would be the job of the Swiss government to crunch the numbers if citizens vote for the plans.
