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THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Five big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Highest paid jobs, and a new questionnaire providing information about naturalisations, are among the Swiss news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Published: 2 February 2024 16:27 CET
Five big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week
Dashing down the snowy slope: this is what February is about. Image by Oleksandr Pyrohov from Pixabay

Where can Switzerland’s employees earn most money right now?

The answer to this question comes from new data compiled by Michael Page, a Switzerland-based recruitment consultant firm.

Its ‘Salary Guide 2024’ covers over 550 job types across 15 key sectors, so it is a comprehensive work-related resource. 

The agency found that jobs in IT and digital marketing “showed the highest increases” in salaries — 6 to 10 percent more over the last 12 months.

READ ALSO: Which sectors and jobs in Switzerland are seeing the biggest salary hikes? 

Swiss regions where English language is common (though not official!)

English is not one of Switzerland’s four official languages,  but in certain regions of the country it is more common than in others.

Newly released research shines a light on the canton with the highest proportion of people who use English as their primary language. (Hint: it starts with a letter ‘Z’, but it’s not Zurich).

READ ALSO: The Swiss canton where English is spoken the most 
 
From ski passes to safety: What you should know before you hit the slopes

February is a traditional ‘family ski’ month in Switzerland, when tens of thousands of people pack up their cars and head for mountain resorts.

But before you and your family head for the slopes, there is a number of useful things you should know.

They range from avoiding traffic jams, various types of ski passes, as well as how to be prepared for the worst-case scenario: injuries.
 
READ ALSO: What you should know about skiing in the Swiss Alps this winter

New online tool provides information on the naturalisation process

If you are wondering whether you are eligible to apply for the facilitated procedure to obtain Swiss citizenship, you can now find the answer online.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has just launched the pilot phase of its ‘naturalisation self-check’ — a simple questionnaire that will provide this information.

READ ALSO: What is the new ‘self-check’ for Swiss citizenship and who is it for?

New government study shows the extent of racism in Switzerland

Even though the majority of Swiss population are not racist, a number of foreigners, people with migration background, and ethnic minorities report instances of racial discrimination they experienced in the past five years.

Now a new report reveals in what areas racism is most prevalent and what form it takes.

READ ALSO: Are foreigners in Switzerland likely to experience some form of racism?

And also…

The month of February is still very young. If you are wondering what lies ahead for the remaining 27 days of the month, you can find all the answers here:

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Switzerland in February 2024
 
 

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For members

THE WEEK IN SWITZERLAND

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Attack on a US tourist in Lausanne and criticism of English courses in Swiss schools are among the news The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Published: 21 June 2024 14:52 CEST
Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to know about this week

Criticism against English lessons in elementary schools

Switzerland’s Liberal-Radical party (FDP) have come up with a radical proposal to scrap English and French lessons for primary school children, arguing they do more harm than good.

The party’s claim is that children at that age (typically between eight and 11) need to master their own mother tongue as a priority and learning other languages was holding them back from doing this — especially given Switzerland’s recent poor scores in the global PISA rankings for language and reading.
 
READ ALSO: Why is there a move for Swiss schools to abandon ‘useless’ English lessons?

US tourist in Lausanne stabbed with a knife

Even though crime rate in Lausanne is low, and it, along with other Swiss cities, is comparably safe, a woman visiting from the United States was stabbed in a shoulder during an unsuccessful attempt to steal her bag.

Even though the passersby and local shopkeepers tries to intercept the attacker, he managed to escape.

He was, however, caught and arrested shortly thereafter. 

Police said the perpetrator was known for prior criminal acts.

READ ALSO: American tourist ‘violently attacked’ in Lausanne 

Swiss TV license fee to become cheaper

The current fee (also referred to as ‘tax’) of 335 francs a year per household will drop to 312 francs by 2027, and then to 300 francs from 2029.

The main goal of this reduction is to alleviate the financial burden that the license fee places on many households and businesses alike.

This tax has been dropping gradually over the years, from the all-time high of 451 francs.

READ ALSO: Switzerland to lower the obligatory TV license fee 

Swiss interest rates drop, signalling lower rents

After slashing its interest rates in March, Swiss National Bank again lowered the rate by quarter percent, bringing it down to 1.25 percent.
 
This means that inflation rate has fallen to an acceptable level, and it is also a positive sign for many tenants in Switzerland who will see their rents decline as a result of the cut in interest rates.

Consumers in general will also be able to benefit in terms of lower interest on mortgages and other loans.

READ ALSO: Swiss central bank cuts rate for second straight time 

Switzerland ranked as Europe’s most competitive economy

In its new annual ranking, the IMD Business Institute named Switzerland Europe’s top nation, and the world’s second-best, in terms of competitiveness. 

It is in the first place in terms of government efficiency, public finance and institutional organisation.

Additionally,it is at the top for its infrastructure, particularly for health services, environment, as well as educational system.

Switzerland also scores relatively high for productivity and efficiency, as well as infrastructure for scientific research.

And also:

If you are wondering how Switzerland’s employment laws compare to workers’ rights in the United States —  the two are, literally and figuratively worlds apart.

They differ in terms of annual paid leave, health benefits. and many other benefits as well.
 
You can find out more information about it here:
 
READ ALSO: Six ways working in Switzerland is better than in the US 
 

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