Switzerland is to vote on Sunday, May 18 in a referendum on the introduction of a minimum wage set at 22 Swiss francs (18 euros) per hour.<br /><br />The country does not have a minimum wage at all at the moment.<br /><br />Trade unions say the measure is necessary because of the high living costs in big Swiss cities such as Geneva and Zurich. <br /><br />But, even taking into account purchasing power in notoriously expensive Switzerland, it would be the highest minimum wage in the world, according the the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.<br /><br />Polls suggest the proposal will be rejected.<br /><br />Swiss voter Yuri Ortelli said the high wage would constrain employers, explaining: “Let’s say a farmer wants to hire someone on his farm – if he has to pay 4,000 Swiss francs [per month] minimum and if he doesn’t have it, he won’t be able to hire. That’s why I’ll vote against.”
