Tag Archives: 3) Swiss Markets and News

The demonstration in Lausanne was the latest in a series of regional protests against plans by the employers in the building sector. (Keystone) Construction workers have continued their protests against worsening labour conditions in Switzerland. An estimated 4,000 people took to the streets of Lausanne on Monday in the latest stage of a series of short regional strikes underway since mid-October. The trade unions have...

A trip to the pharmacy could soon be cheaper (© KEYSTONE / GAETAN BALLY) - Click to enlarge There will be an average drop of almost 20% in the price of 288 medicines from December 1, the Federal Office of Public Health says. Savings of around CHF100 million ($100 million) are expected. The move comes at a time of debate over the high costs of medicines in Switzerland. The price reduction, which averages 18.8%, will...

According to bilan.ch, Geneva’s Council of State, or executive, has put forward a proposed corporate tax rate of 13.79% as part of its tax reform project, work triggered by international pressure on Switzerland and its cantons to remove preferential tax treatment for certain international companies. ©-Sam74100-_-Dreamstime.com_ - Click to enlarge This rate is the same as the rate already accepted by the government and...

Jörg Gasser wants to pursue a new career path (Keystone) The State Secretary for International Finance, Jörg Gasser, is to step down in February after three years in office. It was Gasser’s decision to leave the post, according to a statement by the finance ministry on Wednesday. Among his most important tasks was the development of bilateral relations and cooperation with new and emerging markets, notably in Asia, the...

Once a business is established, there are many ongoing administrative tasks required by law. The main ones are covered in this article. The first few relate to employees and the rest to taxation and other essential administrative tasks. 1. Social insurance taxes Businesses that employ people, including independents, must pay social insurance taxes. These are administered by compensation funds and rates vary slightly by...

“Angry masons from Neuchâtel” reads the sign. Following strikes in Ticino and Geneva earlier this month, 1,500 construction workers have continued the protest in French-speaking Switzerland. According to the labour unions, more than 1,500 workers from cantons Freiburg, Neuchâtel, Valais and Jura put their tools down on Tuesday. About 80% of construction sites in the canton of Neuchâtel were shut down – an impressive...

Slabs of beef hang inside a lorry in Buenos Aires, Swiss farmers fear a deal with the Mercosur countries would result in cheap meat flooding the Swiss market. (Keystone) A coalition of Swiss farming organisations, consumers and NGOs says it is in favour of a free trade agreement between Switzerland and the four Mercosur countries: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. But it is demanding binding criteria concerning...

Radiologists are some of the best medical earners (Keystone) The salaries of self-employed doctors in Switzerland are around a third higher than previously thought, according to a study by the Federal Office of Public Health. The median wage is CHF257,000 ($258,000). However, certain specialists can earn considerably more: neurosurgeons, for example, take home a median salary of CHF697,000 and gastroenterologists...

A Post bus on a route on the Flüela Pass in Graubünden (© KEYSTONE / PETRA OROSZ) - Click to enlarge The state-owned PostBus company is threatened with losing bus routes in several regions, following a scandal over illegal subsidies. Jura is the first canton that will put its 38 routes out to tender next spring, SonntagsZeitungexternal link has reported. “We were not convinced of the costs and quality of the post...

On 25 November 2018, Swiss will vote on whether to accept laws allowing detectives to uncover welfare fraud. ©-Dan-Grytsku-_-Dreamstime.com_ - Click to enlarge Currently, there is nothing specific in Swiss law covering the practice. In the past, investigators have been used to gather evidence on disability and accident beneficiaries. Between 2009 and 2016, detectives were used on around 220 investigations a year, of...