The prospect of getting money for nothing didn’t prove to be attractive to the Swiss, as deVere Group reported how the vast majority voted against the introduction of an unconditional basic income (UBI).
The idea of receiving a guaranteed monthly income of 2,500 francs, regardless of whether you are currently employed, may seem heaven to many, so why did the Swiss overwhelmingly vote to reject the plan? deVere Switzerland looks at the reasoning.
One of the main explanations that has been touted by politicians and the media is the vagueness of the proposal, with many Swiss nationals unaware about how the plan would work once implemented. Free Democrat Party (PRD) councillor Laurent Wehrli for instance told the Tribune de Genève: “The project was masterfully vague and put the Swiss economy in danger. The people understood that.”
Indeed, L’Hebdo wrote about how “utopia did not convince” and that the rejection can hardly come as much of a surprise after the Swiss previously voted against having more holidays, limiting company heads’ salaries and introducing a minimum wage. They stated: “The figure of 2,500 francs supposed to be the monthly allowance for each resident, far from arousing desire, posed the question: from whose pockets will it be sought?”
However, supporters of the UBI suggested that the change was too much for people to comprehend at this moment in time. Green Party leader Lisa Mazzone claimed that people were “scared of the implications and the unknown factors implementing it (UBI) could bring”, while Gabriel Barta, of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) based in Switzerland, suggested that residents “did not understand the necessity for it” in a time when prosperity wasn’t being threatened.
However, Mr Barta was defiant in his belief that a UBI would eventually come into Swiss law, stating: “While we cannot guarantee that society will not be turned upside down, the necessity for a UBI will become evident with time. It took four popular votes and 50 years to approve the AVS (old-age pension).”
His opinion isn’t without merit either, as the topic is likely to continue occupying Swiss discussions, despite the large vote against. For example, the commune of Lausanne has already agreed to launch a study about the feasibility of implementing a UBI in the city, with other regions contemplating whether to follow suit.
L’Hebdo echoes as much by concluding: “Everyone feels that the traditional state welfare model has limits and even if it remains solid and well managed in Switzerland, the subject is likely to be re-examined more and more.”
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