People in Switzerland use several languages on daily basis; Zurich toughens rules for family caregivers; and more news in our Friday roundup.
The majority of Switzerland’s population regularly use several languages
In Switzerland, the vast majority of people (86 percent) believe that knowledge of several national languages is important for the country’s cohesion.
This is what emerges from the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) Survey on Language, Religion and Culture released on Thursday.
Almost two-thirds of the population regularly use several languages in everyday life. This multilingualism is not limited to Switzerland’s national languages; English also plays an important role.
While national languages are used regularly in everyday life, English is the most widely spoken non-national language – by 44 percent of the population.
It is used regularly by more people in the German-speaking region than French (45 percent vs. 15 percent), or German in the French-speaking region (41 percent vs. 16 percent).
Zurich tightens rules for family caregivers
The Zurich Health Department has issued stricter rules for home care organisations that employ family caregivers.
With the new regulations, health authorities aim to create a “clear framework,” they said on Thursday.
This is the result of findings showing that some companies reportedly “profit excessively” – in terms of prices – from the use of family caregivers, meaning that municipalities must contribute to these inflated costs.
In addition, to ensure quality care, family caregivers will now be required to complete, within one year, a course in care assistance.
Further, qualified nursing staff must regularly support family caregivers – at least every two weeks by telephone and once a month in person.
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Meanwhile in Geneva…
Geneva Public Transport (TPG) has announced changes to its network starting Monday August 18th. Several modifications, related to construction work, will affect tram lines at the start of the school year.
Line 12 will resume operation between the Lancy-Bachet and Blanche stops, following the work carried out by TPG in Carouge.
A replacement bus service will continue to operate between the Blanche and Plainpalais stops, with a return to normal service scheduled for December 6th, the date of the Escalade Race.
Anticipatory measures related to the tram extension work between Nations and Ferney (France) will have an impact on Line 15, whose terminus will be relocated to the Collège Sismondi stop. Bus lines passing through the Nations district will also be affected in certain locations.
The start of the school year will also be marked by the launch of line 97, a temporary service designed to provide a link between the Grands Essert district and Bout-du-Monde, before the extension of line 7 in December. This line will offer connections to Geneva city centre, among other destinations..
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