As a consequence, many people are afraid to claim financial help. For example, some pensioners refuse top-up payments for this reason, say elderly rights groups.
Speaking at the Bern conference, Swiss Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said welfare payments should be a right for Swiss residents.
Poverty should not be considered a crime, she added.
Parliament is currently debating whether to revoke the welfare condition for residency, but the two chambers have failed to agree on this motion.
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I’m an expat and I lost my job. What now?
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Losing a job is difficult enough, but when it happens in a foreign country, it can be devastating.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Swiss authorities release right-to-die activist in Sarco ‘suicide capsule’ case
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A right-to-die activist has been released from police custody over the reported first use of the Sarco “suicide capsule”, after prosecutors ruled out the possibility of an intentional homicide.
Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria
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The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.
Poll: right-wing Swiss People’s Party enjoys growing support among population
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If national elections had been held in Switzerland last month, the right-wing Swiss People's Party would have won, and increased its share of votes by 2% compared to the 2023 federal elections.
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Swiss Black Friday revenues failed to live up to retail expectations. But sales throughout the week proved more successful.
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The Swiss army will have CH 530 million more than expected for armaments investments after a parliamentary chamber approved the increase.
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Swiss citizens could have access to an e-ID from 2026 as parliament has agreed to the idea in principle despite still having to iron out some minor issues.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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‘Fear of being forced to leave Switzerland is growing’
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Many immigrants have been hard hit by the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. New regulations mean that many fear taking welfare.
Integration becomes key factor for residency permits
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Parliament decided on Monday to revise the ‘foreigners law’, firstly by renaming it the ‘foreigners and integration law’. The changes mean that long-term residency C-permitsExternal link will be only be given to people who respect public security and order, uphold the values of the federal constitution, contribute to the economy or take part in training…
Many struggling pensioners reluctant to request state benefits
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Around 230,000 elderly in Switzerland do not receive the supplementary benefits they are entitled to, a rights group says.
Swiss court backs residency request of welfare recipient
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The Federal Administrative Court has overturned the decision of the State Secretariat for Migration to refuse residence permits to the children of a foreigner who received social assistance while studying in Switzerland.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.