Switzerland votes in basic income referendum

Switzerland is voting about whether to introduce a guaranteed basic income for every citizen, regardless of his or her employment or the lack of it.

The vote is unprecedented around the world and supporters of the idea claim that 21st Century work is increasingly automated, with fewer jobs available for workers. However, polls suggest that only about one quarter of Swiss voters back the idea.

According to international reports, no figure has been set yet, but those behind the proposal have suggested a monthly income of 2,500 Swiss francs (€2,254) for adults and €563 for each child, reflecting the high cost of living in Switzerland.

So far, no 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.

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."

However, Luzi Stamm, a member of parliament for the right-wing Swiss People's Party, challenges the idea, saying that it would be possible if Switzerland were an island, but “with open borders, it's a total impossibility, especially for Switzerland, with a high living standard.”

"If you would offer every individual a Swiss amount of money, you would have billions of people who would try to move into Switzerland."

People will also be voting on another four issues on the Swiss ballot today, including funds for public services and the simplification of the application procedures for asylum-seekers

Switzerland is not the only country mulling over such an initiative, and in Finland, the government is considering a trail to give basic income to some 8,000 people from low-income groups. The Dutch city of Utrecht is also developing a pilot project which will begin in January 2017.