Those who take care of their sick parents in Lucerne, for example, can hope for a small compensation in the future. Lucerne’s cantonal council on Tuesday came out in favor of accepting a counter-proposal from the canton’s “private care and support initiative” in the center. This entry is a novelty in Switzerland.
This counter-proposal stipulates that people who voluntarily care for a person in their home will receive 800 francs a year as a token of appreciation. That is just under CHF 2.20 per day.
This allowance may be divided between a maximum of two care providers.
3000 people could benefit from this
The people being cared for must also receive a voucher of at least CHF 1,200 annually. This allows them to use third-party services, for example in the form of domestic help or a short stay in a nursing home. The voucher also serves to relieve their caring relatives.
It is estimated that about 3,000 people in the canton of Lucerne would have to meet the requirements to receive such a nursing wage. The government expects costs of about five million Swiss francs to be borne equally by the canton and the municipalities.
Need second consultation
The SVP considers these costs too high. That is why she fought the issue in parliament. The party considered the costs too high in the current uncertain times. The Social Democrats, on the other hand, had a very different opinion. Although they welcomed the introduction of direct payments, the SP, for example, wanted an allowance of CHF 1,200 in vain.
After the first reading, the counter-proposal was approved by 88 votes to 21. However, the care wages for surviving relatives are not dry yet. In January, the parliament of the canton of Lucerne will discuss the bill a second time.
center satisfied
In 2019, in the middle of its “private care and support initiative”, it demanded a deduction of CHF 5,000 from taxable income for caring relatives. The Lucerne government wanted to reject the initiative – mainly because low-income people would hardly have benefited from the deduction.
The cantonal council took a similar position and required the government to prepare a counter-proposal. Now even the center welcomes the counter-proposal that has been worked out, as communicated in a statement. It is about “a slim, unbureaucratic and grateful form to give a sign to many relatives”. (you)