Swedish-made Gripen

Swiss voters rejected Sunday the introduction of a EUR 3300 worth minimum wage, which would have been the world's highest.

Some 76 percent declared themselves against the minimum CHF 22 (EUR 18) an hour that workers in one of the richest countries could receive under the proposal which was put forward on a referendum, according to the Swiss daily Neue Zuercher Zeitung.

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.