The Grand Council rejected the minority motion by a provisional advisory committee when discussing the 2023 budget by a vote of 77 to 55. In the end, it was a two-franc increase.
The government council also wanted nothing to do with the reversal of the previously decided cuts. An increase of two francs would have resulted in additional costs of 13 million francs per year.
SP, EVP and GLP for elevation
SVP and the center spoke out against any increase. There is “no question of an emergency,” said an SVP council member. Complaints are unknown. You also have to take care of the finances of the canton.
The SP campaigned for an increase of two francs. It was “not a superfluous luxury”, according to an SP council member. No one can live a half-healthy lifestyle with so little money. The EVP and GLP also wanted an increase.
56 francs a week should be enough
SVP government councilor Jean-Pierre Gallati (56) said the approaches for this group of people should be below the approaches of the local population. The approaches adopted are “humanely, socially and politically responsible”.
The approach, which is low compared to Switzerland, has been applied in Aargau since 2018. The reason for the reduction was an austerity program at the time. Since then, asylum seekers, people temporarily admitted without refugee status and now also war refugees from Ukraine with protection status have had to make do with eight francs a day.
56 francs per week is available, which should also be sufficient for the purchase of hygiene items. In addition, there is one franc per day as pocket money and a clothing allowance of 20 francs per month. Children between six and sixteen receive a meal allowance of seven francs per day. Up to 6 years there is CHF 7.50 per day.
In the canton of Basel-Stadt there are 18.50 francs per day
The fixed amounts differ from canton to canton, as shown by an overview of the Conference of Cantonal Social Directors (SODK). The canton of Bern pays 12.50 francs, Basel-Stadt 18.50 francs, Glarus 11.95 francs and Lucerne 11.10 francs.
Depending on the canton, these lump sums also include expenses for public transport, clothing and household expenses. (SDA/bgs)