Alwaght- Switzerland on Sunday votes to introduce a universal basic income (UBI) allocating a monthly income of around $2,500 to every adult legally residing in the country, whether they work or not.
Polls have now opened in Switzerland for the world's first referendum on the introduction of a UBI income. If passed, every adult legally resident in Switzerland will receive an unconditional income of 2,500 Swiss Francs (£1,755) a month whether they work or not, Independent online newspaper reported.
While the British referendum on staying in the EU continues to dominate the headlines, Switzerland’s vote on Sunday in potentially even more significant.
Supporters for the Yes vote have dressed up as robots to highlight the increased use of technology in factories, retail and finance has replaced human employees with machines which do not require incomes.
Basic Income Switzerland campaigners say the money is simply a human right and would bring people’s income in line with the cost of living.
The group claims it would encourage innovation as there would be more demand for technology to do the “dirty work” in life. Authorities would save money the ease of making a standard payment rather than a complex myriad of subsidies.
The idea of basic income is becoming increasingly popular over the world.
Pilot schemes for a basic income are being considered by the governments of Finland and Canada, while Switzerland has held the referendum.
The charity GiveDirectly is aiming to provide thousands of Kenyans with a basic income for at least the next decade to see how it could change people's lives.
Last month, a poll found two thirds of the British public support a universal basic income.
