Football Fans Brawl After Swiss Win; Basel Increases Support For Low Income Tenants; Swiss Public Sector Workers Get Raise

News For 6 December 2022

Last Friday night, the Swiss national football team prevailed in their round of 16 match over Serbia at the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.  Celebrations in Basel at Steinenvorstadt, a district known for its party and sport-watching circuit, turned violent when supporters of the sides traded insults and blows.  Police arrived quickly to separate the emotionally charged fans and despite the damage to property, played down the melee as "minor".

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Citing rising energy costs, the canton of Basel Stadt has implemented an increase to housing cost supplements starting in January of 2023.  Those eligible for "rent contributions" from the city will see their ancillary monthly cost contribution rise by 60 Swiss francs, a move meant to offset the increases in energy costs.  The total increased cost of the program is estimated at 800,000 Swiss francs per year.  Typically, families with children and limited financial means can apply for family rent contributions with the city, which is awarded based on the family and housing size.

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Late last week, the Swiss federal government agreed to boost the salaries of public sector workers by 2.5%. The representatives of government workers had demanded a 3% rise to completely offset the government's estimates of inflation.  In the end, both sides agreed government deficits should not increase unnecessarily, resulting in the final 2.5% increase.  According to 2020 Swiss government estimates, the average public worker in Switzerland earns 26% more than their full-time private sector counterpart.