Switzerland to hold first ever vote on basic income Sunday June 05,2016

Switzerland is voting on whether to introduce a guaranteed basic income for every citizen, becoming the first country to hold such a vote.

The proposal calls for adults to be paid an unconditional income of 2,500 Swiss francs (£1,755; $2,555) a month, whether they work or not.

Supporters of the idea say 21st Century work is increasingly automated, with fewer jobs available for workers.

But polls suggest that only about one quarter of Swiss voters back the idea.

Under the terms of the basic income, workers who already earn more than SFr2,500 Swiss francs would not get any additional money.

There is little support among Swiss politicians for the idea and not a single parliamentary party has come out in favour.

They say that disconnecting the link between work done and money earned would be bad for society.

But Che Wagner from the campaign group Basic Income Switzerland, says it wouldn't be money for nothing.

"In Switzerland over 50% of total work that is done is unpaid. It's care work, it's at home, it's in different communities, so that work would be more valued with a basic income."

The basic income is one of five issues on the Swiss ballot on Sunday June 05,2016, with people also voting on funds for public services and the simplification of the application procedures for asylum-seekers.