Not long ago the Swiss people voted against the introduction of an unconditional basic income for all. This law could have secured all citizens financial security no matter their occupation. 2500 Swiss Francs a month: that’s £1780, or €2277, or $2590. That’s your bed, your food, your basics covered.
Opponents argued that people would become lazy and just stay at home. Immigrants would exploit the system, the state would face financial ruin, their national economy would no longer be able to compete on the global market. The referendum clearly rejected the introduction of a UBI, but despite the lack of critical debate in Switzerland the referendum itself stirred interest in other parts of the world.The referendum was a mini revolution, a reminder that it’s us who build our society and it’s us who can technically change it, too. It’s a debate about sacrifice and solidarity. More than just a fiscal or monetary issue, work and labour reflect the relations of human beings with their kind. This can be seen in the relatively uncovered (at least in the British press) Nuit Debout movement in France, where protests over labour laws have been transformed into an expression of general dissatisfaction with the status quo. Encompassed within the labour law process are concerns over state of French democracy, the rise of inequality and the greed of corporations.
Our working life, then, means so much more than our job title or income. In the stories on the following pages you will find many of the issues that characterize our ill working society: cheap labour, discrimination against class or gender, performance pressure, and social prejudice. We will explore how work can and should be more than a means to earn a living; how our work can be a calling, support, a cure. The Work Issue is a call for patience and understanding, it’s an invitation to rethink our working life. It invites you to take a coffee break, slow down a little. You will meet searching young adults, hard working strikers, retired social workers, nurses, and janitors telling their stories of dedication, struggles, and love. How work can be your demon but also your inspiration and foundation to a happy and healthy life. - NOUS Magazine