Trade association reacts to TV levy obligation
The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) is following through on its threat and launching a referendum against the revised Radio and Television Act—due to the requirement that larger companies pay fees. This was announced by the association’s president, Jean-François Rime.
Small and medium-sized companies have had enough of new taxes, said Rime in an interview with the French-speaking Swiss newspaper Le Temps on Friday. According to the SVP National Councillor from Fribourg, the Billag fee, which companies with a turnover of CHF 500,000 or more should pay, would cost them CHF 200 million per year. At present, only those who have a receiver are asked to pay.
Rime criticizes not only the obligation to pay the fee, but also the fact that the Federal Council - as with the current reception fee - sets the amount of the fee independently. The SGV members were in favor of a referendum. In addition to the trade association, a group called Aktionsstop Billag is also considering a referendum.
The Swiss parliament passed the revision of the Radio and Television Act in the fall session. The core element is a device-dependent radio and TV fee: every household and every company should pay - and not just those who own a radio or television. As the number of people liable to pay the fee would increase, the fees would decrease. (SDA)
