Swiss Voters Reject EUR 3300 Minimum Wage

Switzerland has rejected the proposal to introduce a minimum wage of EUR 18 per hour, the world's highest minimum wage, according to preliminary results of Sunday's referendum.

Supporters of the measure, including trade unions and left-wing parties, stressed the high living costs, while opponents argued that it would increase production costs and unemployment levels.

The minimum wage initiative was the most prominent of several referendums held on Sunday morning in Switzerland, the other questions concerning a plan to purchase Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets for the Swiss Air Force and a proposal to introduce a lifelong ban against convicted paedophiles working with children, according to the BBC News.

No preliminary results are available on the other questions.