Swiss to vote on world's top minimum wage

The Swiss are to vote on introducing the highest minimum wage in the world, but are expected to turn it down.

A Swiss flag

The Swiss are set to vote on introducing the highest minimum wage in the world. (AAP)

The Swiss are expected to reject a referendum on whether to introduce the world's highest minimum wage, that would offer each and every worker at least $US25 ($A27.05) an hour.

Switzerland will also hold votes on May 18 on a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy fighter jets from Sweden and measures to ban paedophiles from working with children.

Much of the national debate ahead of the referenda, which are held every three months in Switzerland as part of the country's direct democratic system, has focused on the pros and cons of introducing a minimum wage.

The unions and leftwing political parties behind the salary initiative insist at least $US25 an hour, or $US4,515 a month, is needed to survive in Switzerland, one of the world's most expensive countries.

If the voters agree, the wealthy Alpine nation would go from having no minimum wage to boasting the world's highest, far above the $US7.25 in the United States, 9.43 euros ($A14.14)in France, 5.05 euros in Spain and the recently agreed eight euros in Germany, set to take effect next year.

But the Swiss are not expected to say yes. According to the latest poll published last week, a full 64 per cent of Swiss voters oppose the initiative, with only 30 per cent supporting it.

Those opposed have warned a minimum wage, and especially such a high one, would be a death blow to many businesses and would weaken Switzerland's healthy economy.

Supporters of the initiative counter that higher basic wages would boost the purchasing power of some 330,000 people.


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Source: AAP



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