Zurich adopts future integration goals for foreign arrivals; state pensions will be slightly higher in 2027; and more Swiss news in our roundup on Monday.
Zurich adopts future integration goals for foreign arrivals
According to the City Council, Zurich is “diverse and shaped by migration,” with almost 45 percent of its population born abroad.
To ensure harmonious co-existence of all national groups with each other and with the Swiss population as a whole, the City Council established integration policy goals for the next few years, which will be implemented by the various departments and municipal offices.
From now and until 2030, these objectives include fighting discrimination, facilitating access of foreign nationals to various local services, and strengthening the participation of immigrants in public life – among other objectives.
Zurich’s announcement on Friday coincides with integration goals published by the federal government:
READ MORE: Switzerland to invest 334.5 million francs in help for integration of foreigners
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First-pillar state pensions will be slightly higher in 2027
To reflect general consumer price increases, AHV/AVS pensions will increase by 1.59 percent starting on January 1st, the Federal Social Insurance Office announced on Friday.
This means that the minimum pension will rise from 1,260 currently to 1,280 francs per month in 2027, while the highest one will go up from 2,520 to 2,560 francs.
Central Bank to distribute up to 6 billion francs to benefit Swiss population
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) will contribute this amount from 2026 to 2030, provided the financial situation allows it.
According to accepted formula, the SNB distributes two-thirds of its profit to the cantons and one-third to the federal government.
The share of the profit received by each canton is calculated according to population size, and is used for the benefit of the entire population – mostly to finance local infrastructure projects, healthcare, education, and other public services that directly benefit residents.
Geneva traffic to be disrupted by tunnel and road closures starting this week
The cantonal transport authority has announced the “start of new roadworks affecting travel” beginning today, October 5th, as several tunnels in Carouge, Meyrin, and Le Grand-Saconnex will be temporarily closed at night.
Concretely, the Carouge, Les Nations, and Ferney tunnels will be closed to traffic from 8 pm to 6 am until October 8th.
In Meyrin, the covered section will be closed overnight from October 8th to 9th.
The longest closure – until January 29th, 2027 – will be on Route de Rennex between the Route de Malagny intersection and Rue du Village.
Detours will be indicated for each of those roads.
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