Southbound motorists face long queues at Gothard tunnel; push for a longer maternity leave in Switzerland gaining momentum; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.
Southbound motorists face long queues at Gothard
The northern entrance to the Gotthard road tunnel is heavily congested, with the traffic jam just before Göschenen stretching for 18 km, meaning it can take up to three hours to cross the tunnel.
If you are heading that way in the coming days, the TCS motoring organisation is recommending taking alternate routes: via the Simplon Pass, with car transport via the Lötschberg Pass, or via the Great St. Bernard Pass.
Push for longer maternity leave in Switzerland is gaining momentum
A petition submitted on Monday to the Federal Chancellery is calling for a six-month-long maternity leave, instead of 14 weeks, currently the norm.
The petition was signed by 110,000 people – enough to bring this issue to the ballot box in the future.
Fourteen weeks of maternity leave amounts to only 98 days: “a very short period at one of the most important stages in a child’s life,” the petition states.
“At three months old, a baby is still entirely dependent on its mother. Closeness, breastfeeding, emotional bonding, and security are essential for a healthy development.”
The petitioners also argue that mothers need sufficient time to recover physically and psychologically after childbirth. Additionally, they call for a better work-life balance.
READ MORE: What parental leave are new parents entitled to in Switzerland?
Night temperatures in Switzerland are dropping – at last
In the past weeks, as Switzerland was in the grips of a record-braking heatwave, nights were described as ‘tropical.’
But that sweltering weather is about to end: while days will remain hot, the nights are finally cooling down.
“It’s a real relief after the past few weeks,” said meteorologist Peter Wick.
He noted that in some regions, night temperatures could fall to 15C in the coming days, which will “significantly improve sleep comfort,” he added.
Cheaper to rent than own in Zurich, new study reveals
Though both options are expensive, a study carried out by the Zurich Cantonal Bank found that homeownership in Zurich is no longer generally cheaper than renting, as it used to be in the past – especially when compared to longtime tenancy.
That’s because people who have lived in the same apartment for years benefit from lower rents – the so-called “residence bonus.”
Zurich home prices, on the other hand, are now about two and a half times higher than they were two decades ago.
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