The prevention program must be expanded: the National Council wants to strengthen the fight against poverty in Switzerland

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

The National Council wants to step up the fight against poverty in Switzerland. On Thursday he approved a motion that aims to expand a corresponding national prevention program and then replace it with a national strategy.

During an extraordinary session organized by the SP, the Grand Chamber approved a motion by Estelle Revaz (SP/GE) – with 117 votes in favor, 59 votes and 7 abstentions. Only the SVP faction rejected the proposal with a majority.

A similar motion was on the agenda in the Council of States on Thursday morning. However, that was not the case. The small chamber has transferred the initiative of Simon Stocker, member of the Council of States of Schaffhausen, to the responsible committee for preliminary consultation.

If the Council of States later also agrees to the request, the Federal Council must extend the national program to prevent and combat poverty, which expires in 2024, and finance the platform and monitoring with sufficient resources until at least 2030. The program will then be replaced by a national strategy.

The poverty rate increased

The petitioner wants the federal government, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, to support the cantons and municipalities in their efforts to guarantee access to education and health care, the compatibility of work and family, access to affordable housing and decent working conditions. income. Sufficient resources must be made available to implement this strategy.

“Despite the fact that we are a rich country, we are also affected by poverty here,” Revaz said. The poverty rate has risen steadily over the past decade. Also 4.2 percent of the working population lived below the poverty line. Everything must be done to reverse the trend.

Minister of Social Affairs Elisabeth Baume-Schneider confirmed the need for action on behalf of the Federal Council. Several projects have already been started. The Federal Council will soon decide whether and – if so – in what form the activities of the platform to prevent and combat poverty will be continued. (SDA)

Source:Blick