Swiss digital service providers will transmit electronic data to the EU; City of Zurich will be required to accept cash; plus more news in our roundup this Friday.
Swiss digital service providers will transmit electronic data to the EU
European criminal prosecution authorities will find it easier to obtain ‘electronic evidence,’ such as emails, from Swiss digital service providers like Swisscom and Sunrise,
The Federal Council adopted an authorisation framework that allows the companies in question to provide emails, chat histories, or IP addresses directly to judicial authorities within the EU.
In practical terms, digital service providers can now apply to the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) for special authorisation to hand over data stored in Switzerland to European authorities.
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City of Zurich will be required to accept cash payments
Against the wishes of the City Council, the municipal Parliament is demanding a mandate to accept cash at city-run and subsidised establishments.
This move follows a decision last year that cash would no longer be accepted at the Christmas market at Zurich’s main train station. Furthermore, the Zurich Kunsthaus museum also intended to allow only card or smartphone payments.
Opponents of the move argued that businesses should be able to decide by themselves what type of payment methods to accept.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached: the requirement to accept cash should apply only to municipal establishments and those subsidided by the city, not to private businesses.
The tech skills that are most in demand on Swiss labour market right now
While overall hiring demand in Switzerland has dropped by 12 percent, “pressure is rising dramatically for experienced professionals and specialiced talent segments,” according to a new survey by Ranstadt recruiter.
And this concerns primarily high-tech sectors.
There are currently nearly 40 percent more AI and automation jobs; in Switzerland, AI-related positions already account for 20 percent.
There is also high demand for specialists In Data Science & Analytics, Cloud Computing, and in AI/Automation.
Geneva Parliament cuts the number of affordable housing projects
In an effort to combat the formation of “urban ghettos,” MPs have reduced the mandatory proportion of low-rent housing in development zones.
Currently in Geneva, one-third of new residential buildings must be for public benefit—at least 50 percent of which needs to be subsidised social housing.
However, the MPs are now turning this minimum requirement into a maximum limit as a way to prevent these areas from becoming ghettos – that is, densely populated, low-income inner-city neighbourhoods.
The outcome of this contentious proposal will be decided by Geneva voters in a referendum at a future date.
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