While we in Belgium are already happy with the increase of the minimum pension to 1,500 euros, residents of the Swiss region of Geneva have voted for an increase of the minimum wage to… at least 23 Swiss francs per hour gross. For a full-time job good for about 3,800 euros per month.
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According to the Swiss trade unions, the wage is badly needed to be able to “live with dignity” in the region. In comparison with the other front runners: in Luxembourg the minimum wage is 2,140 euros gross per month, and in Australia about 1,950 euros.
For a living in Geneva one also has to dig deep into one’s pockets. A small apartment of about 40 square meters costs an average of 530,000 euros. To rent, one quickly has to pay 1,800 to 2,000 euros per month. The average income is 5,300 euros net.
The pay rise will take effect on October 17. About 30,000 residents, which equates to 10 percent of the active population in the region, could call on it. The unions had already tabled the increase several times, but the proposal was rejected in both 2011 and 2014. So now it has been approved, with 58 percent of the votes.
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