Voters in Switzerland have rejected a that would have meant introducing a basic monthly income for all citizens. The took place on Sunday and resulted in almost 77 per cent of voters opposing the plan. The was to provide a salary to those who have been a citizen for at least five years, whether they worked or not. It was suggested the monthly could be around $2,500. The group behind the proposal argued that the initiative was to overhaul Switzerland's social welfare system. A spokesperson said it would help fight poverty and . He added that it would provide a top-up for people who earned less than the minimum .
Supporters of the plan argued that because work was becoming increasingly automated across Switzerland, there were jobs available for workers. Che Wagner from the group Basic Income Switzerland argued that the monthly income would not be for . He said: "In Switzerland, over 50 per cent of work that is done is unpaid. It's work. It's at home. It's in different , so that work would be more valued with a income." Opponents said it would cause the country many problems. Luzi Stamm from the Swiss People's Party said: "You would have of people who would try to move into Switzerland."
