Swiss voters reject minimum wage

In a referendum on Sunday, voters in Switzerland rejected a proposed minimum wage that would have been the highest minimum wage in the world, Radio New Zealand reports.

Only 23 per cent of voters were in favour of introducing a minimum wage of 22 Swiss francs (about $US25) per hour.

Unions argued that the measure was necessary because of high living costs in big Swiss cities such as Geneva and Zurich. But critics argued that it would raise production costs and increase unemployment.

Switzerland currently has no minimum wage. The proposal was rejected by 76 per cent of voters.