Swiss voters rejected by a wide margin a proposal to introduce a guaranteed basic income for everyone living in the wealthy country after an uneasy debate about the future of work at a time of increasing automation.
Supporters had said introducing a monthly income of 2,500 Swiss francs per adult and 625 francs per child under 18 would promote human dignity and public service.
Opponents, including the government, said it would cost too much and weaken the economy.
Four out of five voters opposed the bold social experiment launched by Basel café and allies in a vote under the Swiss system of direct democracy.
Conservative Switzerland is the first country to hold a national referendum on an unconditional basic income, but others including Finland are examining similar plans as societies ponder a world in which robots replace humans in the workforce.
Employers also heaved a sigh of relief that Switzerland, where unemployment is only around 3.5 percent, had not become the first country to embrace such a path-breaking measure.
Supporters had said introducing a monthly income of 2,500 Swiss francs per adult and 625 francs per child under 18 would promote human dignity and public service.
Opponents, including the government, said it would cost too much and weaken the economy.
Four out of five voters opposed the bold social experiment launched by Basel café and allies in a vote under the Swiss system of direct democracy.
Conservative Switzerland is the first country to hold a national referendum on an unconditional basic income, but others including Finland are examining similar plans as societies ponder a world in which robots replace humans in the workforce.
Employers also heaved a sigh of relief that Switzerland, where unemployment is only around 3.5 percent, had not become the first country to embrace such a path-breaking measure.
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