A/HRC/45/15/Add.1 covered. Exceptions, however, include dental care, as well as occupational and nonoccupational accidents and occupational illnesses covered by accident insurance, and rehabilitation services covered by invalidity insurance. 35. Accident and occupational illness insurance is compulsory for all employed persons.17 It covers occupational as well as non-occupational accidents and occupational illnesses. The benefits include medical care, daily cash benefits, an invalidity pension (80 per cent of the insured salary in the event of full incapacity), and a survivors’ pension. 36. There are also income compensation allowances covering military or civil service and maternity.18 Persons fulfilling their service in the Swiss Armed Forces or carrying out civil service are entitled to an allowance amounting to 80 per cent of the former average income (up to a maximum of SwF 245 per day). Employed and self-employed women are entitled to a maternity allowance for 14 weeks amounting to 80 per cent of their former average income (up to a maximum of SwF 196 per day). In addition, federal legislation fixes minimum child allowances at SwF 200 per month and vocational training allowances at SwF 250 per month. Cantons may provide higher allowances. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of a discussion, ongoing at the time of the visit, on introducing a onemonth paternity leave.19 He is however concerned at the absence of parental leave that can be shared between the two parents and that would improve the equal sharing of responsibilities within the family and in society. 37. Unemployment insurance in Switzerland is compulsory for all employees subject to the basic pension insurance.20 To qualify for unemployment benefits, individuals must have 12 months of contributions, must be unemployed or partially unemployed and must be domiciled in Switzerland. In principle, the insurance covers up to 400 daily unemployment allowances, amounting to 70 or 80 per cent of the insured person’s salary (the maximum insured salary is SwF 12,350 per month). Total unemployment is defined as not being under work contract and seeking a full-time job. Partial unemployment is defined as not being under work contract and seeking a part-time job or having a part-time job and seeking to replace it with a full-time job or to supplement it with another part-time job. All employees who are subject to compulsory insurance, who are under the age of entitlement to an old-age pension and who do not benefit from early receipt of an old-age pension are subject to this type of insurance. The benefits that may be availed of include an unemployment allowance and allowances for reduced working hours, for bad weather and in cases of insolvency of an employer. D. Education 38. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur also focused on the Swiss education system, because access to adequate education, in addition to being a right itself, is a precondition for every human person to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development. He learned much about the Swiss education system, in particular about the widely developed vocational training opportunities, and saw many positive examples of how the system provides young people with the tools necessary for their economic empowerment and effective participation in all aspects of society. One such example was a two-year transitional programme for young refugees in the Canton of Bern, which allows young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years of age who have arrived recently in the country to fill in gaps in their knowledge and join the mainstream education 17 18 19 20 8 Regulated by the federal act on accident insurance of 20 March 1981 and the federal act on general provisions concerning legislation on social insurances. Regulated by the federal act on income compensation allowances in case of service and in case of maternity of 25 September 1952, and the federal act on general provisions concerning legislation on social insurances. In September 2019 a law providing for a two-week paternity leave was adopted, but it is yet to enter into force (a popular vote will be held in September 2020). Regulated by the federal law on compulsory unemployment insurance and allowances in case of insolvency of 25 June 1982 and the federal act on general provisions concerning legislation on social insurances.