2025 Wage increases urged; Raccoons invade Northern Switzerland; Increase in Bengal cat imports

News For 20 August 2024

According to TravailSuisse, the second-largest umbrella organisation of employees in Switzerland, it is urgent "to catch up with the wage gap," said spokesperson Thomas Bauer. While the Swiss economy has experienced real growth of more than 7 percent since 2021, real wages have fallen by more than 3 percent. “To stabilise the purchasing power of workers, the salaries should rise by 4 percent,” the group said. This hike is almost twice as high as the one sought by another workers’ organisation, Employees Switzerland, which called for an increase of 2.2 percent, especially for middle-income workers.

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Swiss wildlife experts noticed an increase in the raccoon population, especially in regions close to Germany, which is considered the European raccoon hub. Why is this a problem? Though cute and harmless, the animal can cause considerable damage to homes and crops. They feast on insulation and electrical wires, and frequently damage wood support beams that run through attics. Over time, raccoons will chew or pry large hunks out of wood beams, causing damage to homes and the environment in general. "Sooner or later, this could become a problem throughout Switzerland," a wildlife specialist told the 20 Minuten news platform. “A national strategy to control the raccoon population has to be implemented."

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Exotic felines, like Bengal cats — which are a cross between Asian leopard and a domestic cat — are growing in popularity. And Swiss animal protection organisations are concerned. Wild cats originating from the Far East are not good pets for Swiss families because they howl loudly at night, and their hunting instincts are a threat to other animals (including domestic cats), as well as humans. In addition, over 80 percent of Swiss veterinarians questioned confirmed these animals suffer from breed‑specific diseases and behavioural problems, including aggression towards other animals and people who live in the same household.