Hernandez told CNN the group he now works for, the non-profit Colis du Coeur, helped an estimated 6,000 to 9,000 people each week during the summer, distributing bags of fresh produce and dry goods sourced through donations, the official Geneva food bank, and various charitable groups. According to government data, 58% of voters in the canton were in favor of the initiative set the minimum wage at 23 Swiss francs an hour, which was backed by a coalition of labor unions and aimed at "fighting poverty, favoring social integration, and contributing to the respect of human dignity.". Michael Grampp, Deloitte's chief economist in Switzerland, said he believed the coronavirus pandemic had an impact in determining how many voters were in favor of passing the minimum wage initiative. "Compared to other countries, given the strong social security coverage in Switzerland, the economic effects of Covid are currently being contained, even though job losses are already occurring in the sectors that have been directly affected, such as tourism, hotels and restaurants," he said. The two previous votes took place in 2011 and 2014, and in the latest case, it was a national referendum to introduce an hourly minimum wage of 22 Swiss Francs, which found 76% of voters were opposed. Geneva is the 10th most expensive city in the world, according to, Overall, the Swiss government's economic experts group. "I come from a slum in Manila originally, so it's true, it's not the same kind of poverty, but if you're hungry, you're hungry. "This new minimum wage will apply to about 6% of the canton's workers as of November 1st," Geneva State Counselor Mauro Poggia told CNN in a statement. But it's helping their employees earn a living wage, Target is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour in July. Colis du Coeur is continuing food distribution through the winter. Geneva is the 10th most expensive city in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2020 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. Those job losses are forcing people to seek help. "This new minimum wage will apply to about 6% of the canton's workers as of November 1st," Geneva State Counselor Mauro Poggia told CNN in a statement. But Poggia said he doesn't believe the pandemic had a significant impact on the vote. We also have a broad service sector that was hit hard due to the lockdown," Grampp told CNN. A 2019 file photo shows the St. Pierre Cathedral overlooking the roofs in the center of Geneva, Switzerland. According to government data, 58% of voters in the canton were in favor of the initiative to set the minimum wage at 23 Swiss francs an hour, which was backed by a coalition of labor unions and aimed at "fighting poverty, favoring social integration, and contributing to the respect of human dignity.". "On 27 September, a new vote on this subject was finally accepted, for a salary of 23 Swiss Francs per hour, or slightly more than 4,000 Swiss Francs per month for an activity of 41 hours per week," Poggia added. (CNN) — Voters in Geneva, Switzerland, have agreed to introduce a minimum wage in the canton that is the equivalent of $25 an hour — believed to be the highest in the world. Continent Located: Australia. Communauté genevoise d'action syndicale, the umbrella organization of unions in Geneva, The decision was also praised by Michel Charrat, president of the Groupement transfrontalier européen, an, The Geneva Council of State, the local executive branch, said in an. Overall, the Swiss government's economic experts group expects the adjusted Swiss GDP to fall by -6.2% in 2020, and average unemployment to be around 3.8%, the lowest economic slump since 1975. Communauté genevoise d'action syndicale, the umbrella organization of unions in Geneva, described the result as "a historic victory, which will directly benefit 30,000 workers, two-thirds of whom are women.". "It will boil down to not having enough to eat," he said. Geneva is the 10th most expensive city in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2020 … The Swiss system of direct democracy calls on voters to exercise their right four times a year, and allows citizens to collect signatures to introduce "popular initiatives" to be enacted. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, Inc., displayed with permission. Countries With The Highest Minimum Wages. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All rights reserved. While a $25 per hour minimum wage might look staggering from the perspective of the United States, where the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, context is key. "I come from a slum in Manila originally, so it's true, it's not the same kind of poverty, but if you're hungry, you're hungry. RELATED: Swiss voters reject $25 minimum wage, The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2020 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, A cup of coffee at this Denver shop could cost you up to $9. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in the world of $13.78 per hour. "On two occasions in the past, initiatives to set a mandatory minimum wage in Geneva had been submitted to the population and rejected," said Poggia, who is in charge of the Department of Security, Labor and Health for the Geneva canton. Colis du Coeur is continuing food distribution through the winter. To those who are skeptical about poverty being an issue in a wealthy country such as Switzerland, Hernandez invites people not to judge. While a $25 per hour minimum wage might look staggering from a U.S. perspective, where the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, context is key. While Switzerland has no national minimum wage law, Geneva is the fourth of 26 cantons to vote on the matter in recent years after Neuchâtel, Jura and Ticino. The Swiss system of direct democracy calls on voters to exercise their right four times a year, and allows citizens to collect signatures to introduce "popular initiatives" to be enacted. That's a benchmark you cannot deny," Hernandez said. Low income workers in the service sector were the most affected by the lockdown measures put in place in Switzerland. Geneva adopts what's believed to be the highest minimum wage in the world, at $25 an hour. Switzerland is among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it wasn't shielded from the damaging impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its economy. "It will boil down to not having enough to eat," he said. Australia. "On 27 September, a new vote on this subject was finally accepted, for a salary of 23 Swiss Francs per hour, or slightly more than 4,000 Swiss Francs per month for an activity of 41 hours per week," Poggia added. Michael Grampp, Deloitte's chief economist in Switzerland, said he believed the coronavirus pandemic had an impact in determining how many voters were in favor of passing the minimum wage initiative. Those job losses are forcing people to seek help. Grampp believes more cantons will enact minimum wage legislation. Hernandez said he believes the adoption of the minimum wage initiative in Geneva was "necessary," as unemployment represents an existential threat for so many low income workers in the city. That's roughly $4,347 per month. "It definitely helped push the vote towards almost 60%," he added. The roughly 4,000 Swiss francs workers will now earn puts them slightly above the poverty line of 3,968 Swiss francs for a household of two adults and two children younger than 14, as estimated by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in 2018. This story was first published on CNN.com 'Geneva adopts what's believed to be the highest minimum wage in the world, at $25 an hour', Tennessee man exonerated after serving 15 years for a murder he didn't commit, New Japanese theme park attraction lets guests zipline into Godzilla's mouth, Moderna expects to know by the end of the month whether its COVID-19 vaccine works, Republican senator says he will step in if Biden doesn't have access to intelligence briefings by Friday. Geneva is known as the humanitarian capital of the world because of the presence of so many international organizations and UN offices focusing on humanitarian affairs. While Switzerland has no national minimum wage law, Geneva is the fourth of 26 cantons to vote on the matter in recent years after Neuchâtel, Jura and Ticino. Mile-long lines at free food distributions in Geneva made headlines worldwide, and they continue to take place, according to Charlemagne Hernandez, the co-founder of Caravane De Solidarité, an activist group in Geneva that has kickstarted the distributions in the city, mostly through donations. It's not like everyone here is working for a bank or a chocolate factory. That's a benchmark you cannot deny," Hernandez said. "On two occasions in the past, initiatives to set a mandatory minimum wage in Geneva had been submitted to the population and rejected," said Poggia, who is in charge of the Department of Security, Labor and Health for the Geneva canton. Charrat told The Guardian that the coronavirus pandemic "has shown that a certain section of the Swiss population cannot live in Geneva," and argued that the new minimum wage is "the minimum to not fall below the poverty line and find yourself in a very difficult situation." Q95 Indy's Classic Rock and Home of The Bob & Tom Show. While a $25 per hour minimum wage might look staggering from the perspective of the United States, where the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, context is key. The minimum … Mile-long lines at free food distributions in Geneva made. Hernandez said he believes the adoption of the minimum wage initiative in Geneva was "necessary," as unemployment represents an existential threat for so many low income workers in the city. Charrat didn't return a CNN request for comment. It's not like everyone here is working for a bank or a chocolate factory. Geneva is known as the humanitarian capital of the world because of the presence of so many international organizations and UN offices focusing on humanitarian affairs. "It definitely helped push the vote towards almost 60%," he added. Geneva, Switzerland - Voters have agreed to introduce a minimum wage in the canton that is the equivalent of $25 an hour -- believed to be the highest in the world. "Compared to other countries, given the strong social security coverage in Switzerland, the economic effects of Covid are currently being contained, even though job losses are already occurring in the sectors that have been directly affected, such as tourism, hotels and restaurants," he said.