Switzerland’s far-right still wants to cap immigration, court rules that clocking out for bathroom breaks at work is legal, and more news from in our Friday roundup.
Despite the defeat of the ‘No to 10 million’ bid, far-right still wants to cap immigration
The “no” vote on June 14th did not eliminate the SVP’s desire to curb immigration. Problems related to population growth remain at the forefront of the party’s agenda.
A number of experts agree.
According to economist Tobias Straumann, for instance, the Federal Council must present concrete proposals for managing immigration.
“It’s time to think about how to curb population growth without ending the free movement of people,” he said, pointing out that previously proposed measures like an ‘immigration tax’ should be considered further.
READ MORE: Switzerland examines much-talked about immigration tax
Court rules that clocking out for bathroom breaks at work is legal
In 2021, Neuchâtel company Jean Singer et Cie, which manufactures watch dials, decided that all employees must clock out for toilet breaks.
At the time, many opponents of this measure – including the Unia union representing the employees – protested against this move.
The case eventually ended up before the regional court, which ruled this week that the clocking-out rule “is not unlawful” provided it is “objectively justified” and that the company has taken all the necessary steps to reduce the “discriminatory effect”. That is, the fact that women usually take longer toilet breaks than men.
READ MORE: Can your Swiss employer make you clock off for toilet breaks?
Zurich offers free home visits to seniors during the heatwave
Older people are particularly vulnerable to health problems during extremely hot weather because they have poorer thermoregulation, sweat less, and generally consume less fluid.
All this affects their cardiovascular system and makes them more susceptible to heat stress.
That is why the city of Zurich provides help to the elderly whose health is impacted by hot weather.
“During a home visit, difficulties in dealing with heat can be discussed and possible solutions can be worked out”, the city said in a press release on Thursday.
READ MORE: Can your Swiss employer make you clock off for toilet breaks?
New ranking reveals Switzerland is no longer the world’s most competitive nation
According to the newly released 2026 World Competitiveness Report, Switzerland – long a global leader in competitiveness – has now slipped to third place.
It remains the most competitive in Europe, however, after losing out to Singapore (1st place) and Hong Kong (2nd).
While Switzerland retained its top position in the ‘Government Efficiency’ and ‘Infrastructure’ categories, it slipped, when compared to 2025, in terms of Domestic Economy, International Trade, and, unsurprisingly, Prices.
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