Switzerland wouldn’t be worse off without the new package of EU agreements, new report says; due to the Iran war, Zurich companies are planning for short-time work; and more news in our roundup on Wednesday.
New report: Switzerland wouldn’t be worse off if it doesn’t ratify new package of EU agreements
The Federal Council has argued that the new batch of treaties, Bilaterals III, are essential for Switzerland to maintain its prosperity, and is urging the Parliament and voters to approve them.
But not all economists agree with this stance.
“To enable the Parliament and the public to form an informed opinion based on facts,” the entrepreneurial movement Autonomiesuisse commissioned Swiss Economics consultants to conduct an independent analysis of the Swiss-EU agreement package.
Its findings were presented on Tuesday by Mark Schelker, political economist at the University of Fribourg.
The report contradicts the federal government’s position, he said, pointing out that “the loss of prosperity for the Swiss population would be “negligible” if the EU treaty package were rejected.
READ MORE: What happens next with the landmark Swiss-EU agreements?
Due to the Iran war, Zurich companies are planning for short-time work
The escalation of the Iran conflict is impacting Switzerland’s travel and aviation industry, prompting employers in these sectors to register for short-time work – that is, a temporary reduction or complete suspension of work at a company, without actually laying off any employees.
“The war is affecting the entire Swiss travel industry,” said Elisha Nicolas Schuetz, spokesperson for the Swiss Travel Association.
Tour operators offering trips to the Middle East, as well as airlines flying there, are particularly hard hit, he added.
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The Magic Pass is expanding its network in Switzerland and abroad
This travel subscription to various tourist destinations, which is already popular in Valais and Vaud, and now it is also continuing its strategic expansion towards the regions of Zurich, Solothurn, Geneva, Évian, (France) and Domodossola Italy).
It will also move iinto Klewenalp Stockhütte (Nidwalden), Sattel Hochstuckli (Schwyz), Hohe Winde (Solothirn), Valbirse (Bern), and Bernex (France).
The pass will now provide access to more than 100 resorts in winter and 53 in summer.
Prices have remained remain unchanged, costing 419 francs per year for adults and 282 francs for children.
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Edelweiss cancels Oman flights and increases its Maldives-bound service
SWISS’ sister airline said it is canceling its flights to Muscat and Salalah until at least the beginning of May, due to unstable political situation in the region.
Instead, it is expanding its service to another popular holiday destination, the Maldives, with additional flights – on Fridays – from Zurich.
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