Swiss voters embrace socialbenefits expansion for pensioners

Bern [Switzerland], March 4: Switzerland voted in a referendum on Sunday in favour of a 13th monthly pension payment each year, to the delight of pensioners.
The trade union initiative was approved with around 58.2 percent of the vote, as final results showed on Sunday evening.
A Swiss television presenter spoke of a rare move by Swiss voters as it is the first time that a left-wing initiative to expand social benefits has been supported in more than 130 years.
The pensions issue had drawn strong interest, with postal votes ahead of polling day at an unusually high level. More than 90 percent of votes are usually cast in this way in Switzerland.
The government and the conservative-dominated parliament had rejected the initiative, saying it was too expensive.
The trade union proposes levying higher contributions to the pension fund during working-life which would increase the annual pension from the state fund by 8.3 percent.
The initiative was supported in 15 of the 26 cantons - a hurdle which other initiatives have often failed. A majority of cantons - or states - is required for a popular initiative, otherwise it will fail, even if more than 50 percent of voters support it.
Conservative cantons, which also voted "no" this time with more than 68 percent, were in the minority.
In Switzerland, the total annual pension is high compared to other European countries like neighbouring Germany. However, the cost of living is also significantly higher, estimated to be at least 50 percent more.
Some other countries already have more than 12 pension payments per year, including Liechtenstein, Poland and Austria, but not Germany.
The issue had electrified the population. The turnout was high at around 57.6 percent. There are usually four referendums a year, and often only around half of the electorate votes.
Source: Qatar Tribune