Switzerland is voting on whether to introduce a
guaranteed basic income for every citizen, becoming the first country to hold
such a vote.
The proposal calls for adults to be paid an
unconditional monthly income, whether they work or not.
Supporters of the idea say 21st Century work is
increasingly automated, with fewer jobs available for workers.
But polls suggest that only about one quarter of Swiss
voters back the idea.
No figure has been set, but those behind the proposal have
suggested a monthly income of 2,500 Swiss francs (£1,755; $2,555) for adults
and SFr625 for each child, reflecting the high cost of living in Switzerland.
It is not clear how it would affect people on higher salaries.
There is little support among Swiss politicians for
the idea and not a single parliamentary party has come out in favour, but the
proposal gathered more than 100,000 signatures and is therefore being put to
the vote under the Swiss popular initiative system.
Critics of the measure say that disconnecting the link
between work done and money earned would be bad for society.
But Che Wagner from the campaign group Basic Income
Switzerland, says it wouldn't be money for nothing.
"In Switzerland over 50% of total work that is
done is unpaid. It's care work, it's at home, it's in different communities, so
that work would be more valued with a basic income."
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