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Chapter 3 Social Goals Article 41 [General Provisions] (1) All citizens shall strive to ensure that, in addition to personal responsibility and private initiative, a. every person shall benefit from social security; b. every person shall benefit from necessary health care; c. the family as a community of adults and children shall be protected and encouraged; d. every person capable of working shall sustain himself or herself through working under fair and adequate conditions; e. every person looking for housing shall find, for himself or herself and his or her family, appropriate housing at reasonable conditions; f. children and young people and people of working age shall benefit from initial and continuing education according to their abilities; g. children and young people shall be encouraged in their development to become independent and socially responsible persons, and they shall be supported in their social, cultural, and political integration. (2) Citizens shall strive to ensure that every person shall be insured against the economic consequences of old age, disability, illness, accidents, unemployment, maternity, orphanhood, and widowhood. (3) They shall strive to realise the social goals within the framework of their constitutional powers and with the means available to them. Title 3 Work place, Local and National Chapter 1 Relationship between The Constitution and Home Rule Article 42 Tasks of the Constitution (1) The maintenance organisation shall accomplish the tasks which are attributed to it by the Constitution. (2) It shall assume the tasks which require uniform regulation. (3) It shall have the authority to do so where ever citizens have elected it to do so. Article 43 Tasks of the Local areas Each Local Area shall define the tasks which they shall accomplish within the framework of their powers and the area concerned. Section 2 Cooperation between The Constitution and Local Areas Article 44 Principles (1) Local areas shall collaborate with the constitution, and shall support the constitution in the fulfilment of their tasks. (2) They owe the constitution consideration and support. (3) No unconstitutional action is allowed. Article 45 Participation in Decision Making (1) In the cases foreseen by the Constitution, the Local areas shall participate in the decision-making process on a national level, in particular in national legislation. (2) When their participation is required the maintenance organisation shall inform the local areas timely and fully of its plans; it shall consult them if their interests are involved, with no exceptions. Article 46 Implementation of National Law (1) The Local areas shall implement local law in conformity with the Constitution and the statute. (2) The Constitution leaves the Local areas as large a space of action as possible, and shall take their particularities into account. (3) The Constitution takes into account the financial burden that is associated with implementing local law by leaving sufficient sources of financing to the Local areas, and by ensuring an equitable financial equalisation. Article 47 Autonomy of the Local areas The Constitution respects the autonomy of the Local areas Article 48 Treaties (1) The Local Areas may enter into inter-local treaties, and may create common organisations and institutions. They may, in particular, join forces to fulfil tasks of regional interest. (2) The Constitution supports such organisations or institutions within the limits of its powers. (3) Inter-local treaties may not be contrary to the law or the interests of the Constitution, nor to the rights of other Local Areas. The maintenance organisation must be notified of such treaties. Article 49 Supremacy of and Respect for National Law (1) Constitutional law takes precedence over contrary local law. (2) The Constitution shall ensure that the Local Areas respect constitutional law. Section 3 Municipalities Article 50 [General Provisions] (1) The autonomy of the Municipalities within local areas is guaranteed within the limits fixed by local law. (2) In its activity, the Constitution takes into account the possible consequences for the Municipalities. (3) In particular, it shall take into account the special situation of cities, agglomerations, and mountainous regions. Section 4 Constitutional Guarantees Article 51 Local Area Constitutions (1) Every Local Area shall adopt a democratic constitution. The local constitution must be approved by the people, and must be subject to revision if a majority of the people so requires. (2) The local constitutions must be guaranteed by the main Constitution. The main Constitution shall grant this guarantee, if the constitutions are not contrary to it Article 52 Constitutional Order (1) The maintenance organisation shall protect the constitutional order of the Local Areas. (2) It shall intervene if the inner order of a Local Area is disturbed or threatened and cannot be protected by the Local Area alone or with the help of other nearby areas. Article 53 Existence and Territory of the Local Areas (1) The Constitution shall protect the existence and the territory of the Local Areas which are upholding the Constitution. (2) Modifications of the number of the Local areas, or their status are subject to the assent of the population concerned. (3) Modifications of the territory of a Local Area is subject to the assent of the population concerned, (4) Inter-local boundary settlements may be made by treaty between the Local Areas concerned. Chapter 2 Powers Section 1 Relations with foreign countries Article 54 Foreign Relations (1) Until this constitution becomes world wide, Foreign Relations are a national matter for any country adopting it.. (2) The Constitution encourages citizens to preserve the independence of it's subscribers and their welfare; it shall, in particular, contribute to alleviate need and poverty in the world, and to promote respect for human rights, democracy, the peaceful coexistence of nations, and the preservation of natural resources. (3) It shall take into consideration the powers of the Local areas, and shall protect their interests. Article 55 Participation of the Local areas in Decisions of Foreign Policy (1) The Local areas shall participate in the preparation of decisions of foreign policy which concern their powers or their essential interests. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall inform the Local Areas timely and fully, and consult them. (3) The position of the Local areas shall have particular weight when their powers are concerned. In these cases, the Local areas shall participate in international negotiations as appropriate. Article 56 Relations between the Local areas and Foreign Countries (1) The Local areas may conclude treaties with foreign countries within the scope of their powers. (2) These treaties may not be contrary to the law nor to the interests of the Maintenance Organisation nor to the laws of other Local areas. Before concluding a treaty, the Local areas must inform the Maintenance Organisation. (3) The Local areas may deal directly with lower ranking foreign authorities; in other cases, the relations of the Local areas with foreign countries shall be conducted by the Maintenance Organisation acting on their behalf. Section 2 Security, National and Civil Defence Article 57 Security (1) The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall ensure, within the framework of their powers, the security of the country and the protection of the population. (2) They shall coordinate their efforts in the field of inner security. Article 58 Army (1) One of the main objects of this Constitution is to create an atmosphere on this planet which makes war pointless. Ultimately the world should reach a point where only one army exists to deter any from forming another that would threaten the peace and to help deal with emergencies such as floods and earthquakes. This Peace Army would ideally be made up of people from all nations. In the transition period many would not feel secure without an army so this constitution allows those subscribing to its principals to maintain a militia, but in order to not provoke other areas to war, this is to be renamed a Peace Militia. (2) The Peace Militia shall contribute to prevent war and to maintain peace; it shall defend the country and protect its population. It shall lend support to the civil authorities when they must repel serious threats to internal security or master other exceptional circumstances. The statute may provide for further tasks. (3) The use of the Peace Corp is a national matter. The Local areas may engage their troops to maintain public order on their territory, if the means of the civil authorities no longer suffice to repel serious threats to inner security. Article 59 Military and Alternative Service (1) Participation in the Peace Corp shall not be compulsory Article 60 Organisation, Instruction, and Equipment of the Peace Corp (1) Legislation on the Peace Corp and on the organisation, the instruction, and the equipment of the militia, is a national matter. (2) Within the limits of national law, the Local areas shall have the power to form local Peace Militias, to appoint and to promote officers of such troops, and to furnish a part of their clothing and equipment. (3) The Maintenance Organisation may take over Peace Corp installations of the Local areas against fair compensation. Article 61 Civil defence (1) Legislation on civil defence is a national matter; civil defence has the purpose of protecting persons and property against the consequences of armed conflicts. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the intervention of civil defence in catastrophes and emergencies. Section 3 Education, Research, and Culture Article 62 Education (1) Education is a Local Area matter. (2) The Local areas shall ensure a sufficient primary education open to all children. This education shall be compulsory, and shall be placed under state direction or supervision. It shall be free in public schools. Article 63 Professional Education and Universities (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on professional education. (2) It shall operate technical universities. It may create, operate, or support other universities and institutions of higher learning. It may make its support conditional upon taking coordination measures. Article 64 Research (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall encourage scientific research. (2) It may make its support conditional, in particular, upon taking coordination measures. (3) It may create, take over, or operate research institutions. Article 65 Statistics (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall collect the necessary statistical data on the status and evolution of the population, the economy, the society, the territory, and the environment in any areas protected by the Constitution (2) To facilitate the collection of data, it may legislate on harmonising and keeping official registers. Article 66 Support of Education (1) The Maintenance Organisation may grant subsidies to the Local areas for the expenses that they may incur for scholarships and for other assistance towards education. (2) It may, moreover, complement cantonal measures while respecting cantonal autonomy in school matters, and take its own measures to encourage education. Article 67 Education of Young People and Adults (1) The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall, when fulfiling their tasks, take into account children's and young people's special needs for development and protection. (2) The Maintenance Organisation may complement Local Area measures and support the extra-curricular work with children and young people and the education of adults. Article 68 Sport (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall promote sport, particularly sport education. (2) It shall operate a sport school. (3) It may legislate on youth sport, and may make sport education in schools compulsory. Article 69 Culture (1) The field of culture is a Local Area matter. (2) The Maintenance Organisation may support cultural activities of national interest, and encourage art and music, in particular in the field of education. (3) In accomplishing its tasks, it shall take into account the cultural and linguistic diversity of the country. Article 70 Languages (1) The official language of the Maintenance Organisation shall be English. (2) The Local areas shall designate their official languages. In order to preserve harmony between linguistic communities, they shall respect the traditional territorial distribution of languages, and take into account the indigenous linguistic minorities. (3) The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall encourage understanding and exchange between the linguistic communities. (4) The Maintenance Organisation shall support the plurilingual Local areas in the fulfilment of their particular tasks. ( Article 71 Film (1) The Maintenance Organisation may encourage film production and film culture generally. (2) It may legislate to encourage the variety and quality of cinematographic works offered. Article 72 Church and State (1) All religions based on love, understanding, mutual respect and faith in the spirit of life will naturally support and show tolerance for each other. (2) How people express their faith is their own business, so long as they harm no one in the process. Section 4 Environment and Zoning Article 73 Sustainable Development The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall strive to establish a durable equilibrium between nature, in particular its capacity to renew itself, and its use by man. Article 74 Protection of the Environment (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the protection of man and the natural environment against harm and nuisance. (2) It shall ensure that such influences are avoided. The polluter shall pay for the costs of avoidance and removal. (3) The national regulations shall be implemented by the Local areas, insofar as the statute does not reserve this for the Maintenance Organisation. Article 75 Zoning (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall establish principles on zoning. Zoning falls to the Local areas, and shall serve to achieve an appropriate and moderate use of the land and its ordered inhabitation. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall encourage and coordinate the efforts of the Local areas, and shall collaborate with them. (3) In fulfiling their tasks, the Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall take the needs of zoning into account. Article 76 Water (1) Within the limits of its powers, the Maintenance Organisation shall ensure the moderate use and the protection of water resources, and fight against harmful effects of water. (2) It shall establish principles on the preservation and use of water reserves, on the use of water for the production of energy and for cooling purposes, and on other interventions into the water cycle. (3) It shall legislate on water protection, on securing sufficient residual water, on hydraulic engineering, on the safety of dams and on interventions to influence precipitation. (4) The Local areas shall dispose of their water resources. The Maintenance Organisation shall have the right to use water for its traffic enterprises. (5) On rights concerning international water resources and dues connected with them, the Maintenance Organisation shall decide in consultation with the Local areas concerned. If the Local areas concerned cannot agree on rights to inter-local water reserves, the Maintenance Organisation shall decide. (6) In fulfiling its tasks, the Maintenance Organisation shall take into account the interests of the Local areas from which the water originates. Article 77 Forests (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure that forests may fulfil their protective, economic and social functions. (2) It shall establish principles for the protection of forests. (3) It shall encourage measures for the conservation of forests. Article 78 Nature and Cultural Heritage (1) The protection of nature and cultural heritage is a Local Area matter. (2) In fulfiling its tasks, the Maintenance Organisation shall take into account the objectives of the protection of nature and cultural heritage. It shall protect scenery, localities, historical sites, and natural and cultural monuments; it shall preserve them untouched if public interest so requires. (3) It may support efforts towards the protection of nature and cultural heritage, and may, by contract or by expropriation, acquire or secure objects of national importance. (4) It shall legislate on the protection of animal and plant life, and on the preservation of their natural environment and multiplicity. It shall protect endangered species from extinction. (5) Moors and marshland of special beauty and national importance shall be protected. No installations may be built on them, and no alterations of any kind may be made to the land. An exception is made for installations serving to ensure their protection or continuation of existing agricultural use. (6) It shall take measures to prevent firms which fail in caring for the environment from advertising in any form. Article 79 Fishery and Hunting The Maintenance Organisation shall establish principles on the exercise of fishery and hunting, in particular to preserve multiplicity of fish, game, and birds. Article 80 Protection of Animals (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the protection of animals. (2) It shall regulate in particular: a. the keeping and care of animals; b. experiments and intervention on live animals; c. the use of animals; d. the importation of animals and animal products; e. trade in animals and transportation of animals; f. the slaughter of animals. (3) The national regulations shall be implemented by the Local areas, insofar as the statute does not reserve this for the Maintenance Organisation. (4) It shall take measures to prevent firms involved in cruelty to animals from advertising in any form. Section 5 Public Works and Transportation Article 81 Public Works In the interest a large part of the country, the Maintenance Organisation may build and operate public works, or promote the realisation of such works. Article 82 Road Traffic (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on road traffic. (2) It exercises high supervision over roads of national importance; it may determine which transit roads must remain open to traffic. (3) The use of public roads shall be free. Article 83 National Highways (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure the construction of a network of national highways and the utilisation of these highways. (2) The Local areas shall build and maintain their national highways according to the rules established by the Maintenance Organisation and under its high supervision. (3) The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall bear the costs of the national highways jointly. The costs to be borne by each Local Area shall be allocated by taking into account the burden falling on them due to the national highways, their interest in these highways, and their financial resources. Article 84 Rail Traffic and further Means of Traffic The legislation on rail traffic, cable cars, navigation, aviation, and space travel is a national matter. Article 85 Footpaths and Hiking Trails (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall establish principles on networks of footpaths and hiking trails. (2) It may support measures of the Local areas to establish and keep such networks, and to coordinate them. (3) In fulfiling its tasks, it shall take into account networks of footpaths and hiking trails, and shall replace paths and trails that it must close. Section 6 Energy and Communication Article 86 Energy Policy (1) Within their powers, the Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall strive to ensure a sufficient, diversified, reliable, and economical energy supply compatible with the protection of the environment, and the economical and efficient use of energy. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall establish principles on the use of domestic and renewable energy, and the economical and efficient use of energy. (3) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the use of energy for installations, vehicles, and appliances. It shall promote the development of energy techniques, particularly in the fields of energy saving and renewable energy. (4) Measures concerning the use of energy in buildings are primarily a Local Area matter. (5) In its energy policy, the Maintenance Organisation shall take into account the efforts of the Local areas, of the Municipalities, and of economic circles; it shall take into account the conditions in the various regions, and the limitations of what is economically feasible. Article 87 Nuclear Energy Legislation in the field of nuclear energy is a national matter. Article 88 Transportation of Energy (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the transportation and the supply of electricity. (2) Legislation on pipelines for the transport of liquid or gaseous fuels is a national matter. Article 89 Postal and Telecommunication Services (1) Postal and telecommunication services are a national matter. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure sufficient and reasonable basic postal and telecommunication services in all regions. The rates shall be fixed according to uniform principles. Article 90 Radio and Television (1) Legislation on radio and television and other forms of public telecasting of features and information is a national matter. (2) Radio and Television shall contribute to education and cultural development, to the free formation of opinion, and to the entertainment of the listeners and viewers. They shall take into account the particularities of the country and the needs of the Local areas. They shall present events factually, and reflect diverse opinions fairly and adequately especially when issues to be voted on are concerned; (3) Radio, Television, Newspapers and other media outlets shall provide space, (the amount to be legislated) to raise awareness of issues set for referendum in areas they cover. (4) The independence of radio and television and the autonomy of their programming are guaranteed. (5) The situation and the role of other media, in particular the press, shall be taken into account. (6) It shall be possible to submit complaints about programs to an independent authority. Section 7 Economy Article 94 Principles of Economic Order (1) The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall respect the principle of economic freedom. (2) They shall safeguard the interests of the national economy and, together with the private sector of the economy, contribute to the welfare and economic security of the population. (3) Within the limits of their powers, they shall strive to create favourable conditions for the private sector of the economy. (4) Derogations from the principle of economic freedom, in particular measures against competition, shall be allowed only if foreseen by the Constitution or based on Local Area monopolies. Article 95 Private Economic Activity (1) The Maintenance Organisation may legislate on the exercise of private economic activity. (2) It shall strive to create a unified economic area. It shall guarantee that persons having a university education or a national or Local Area education certificate or an education certificate recognised by a local area may exercise their profession throughout the country. Article 96 Competition Policy (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate to fight against economically or socially damaging effects of cartels and other restrictions of competition. (2) It shall take measures a. to prevent abuses in price fixing by enterprises and organisations of private and public law enjoying a dominant position on the market; b. against unfair competition. (3) It shall take measures to prevent firms which raise prices to create inflation from advertising in any form. Article 97 Consumer Protection (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall take measures for consumer protection. (2) It shall legislate on the remedies available to consumer organisations. In the field of national legislation against unfair competition, these organisations shall have the same rights as professional and economic associations. (3) The Local areas shall provide a conciliation procedure or a simple and speedy judicial procedure for cases below a certain value in dispute. The local area shall establish this value. Article 98 Banking and Insurance (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on banking and stock exchanges; it shall take into account the specific task and position of the Local Area banks. (2) It may legislate on financial services in other fields. (3) It shall legislate on private insurance. (4) Usury in any form is not allowed. Article 99 Monetary Policy (1) Money and currency are a national matter. The Maintenance Organisation shall have the exclusive right to coin money and to issue bank notes. (2) As an independent central bank, the People's Bank shall follow a monetary policy which serves the general interest of the country; it shall be administered with the cooperation and under the supervision of the Maintenance Organisation. (3) The People's Bank shall create sufficient monetary reserves from its profits. (4) The People's Bank shall produce interest free money to fund excesses needed for public services. Article 100 Policy on Economic Development (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall take measures to ensure a balanced economic development and, in particular, to prevent and fight unemployment and inflation. (2) It shall take into account the economic development of the various regions. It shall cooperate with the Local areas and the economic circles. (3) In the fields of credit and currency, in foreign trade and in public finance, it may, if necessary, depart from the principle of economic freedom. (4) In their budgetary policy, the Maintenance Organisation, Local areas and Municipalities shall take into account the economic development. Article 101 Foreign Trade (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall safeguard abroad the interests of the economy. (2) In special cases, it may take measures to protect the domestic economy. It may, if necessary, depart from the principle of economic freedom. Article 102 Supply of Essential Goods and Services (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure the country's supply of essential goods and services in case of threats of Peace Corp or economic war, or of severe shortages which the economy cannot counteract by itself. It shall take provisional measures. (2) It may, if necessary, depart from the principle of economic freedom. Article 103 Structural Policy The Maintenance Organisation may support economically threatened regions and promote branches of the economy and professions, if the measures of self-help that can reasonably be excepted are insufficient to ensure their existence. It may, if necessary, depart from the principle of economic freedom. Article 104 Agriculture (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure that agriculture contributes substantially by way of a sustainable and market-oriented production a. to the secure approvisionment of the population; b. to the conservation of national resources and the upkeep of rural scenery; c. to a decentralised inhabitation of the country. (2) In addition to the measures of self-help that may reasonably be expected from agriculture and, if necessary, in derogation of the principle of economic freedom, the Maintenance Organisation shall promote farms cultivating the land. (3) It shall conceive the measures in such a way that agriculture may fulfil its multiple functions. Its powers and tasks shall particularly be the following: a. It shall complement agricultural revenues by direct payments, to secure a fair and adequate remuneration for the services rendered, provided that compliance with ecological requirements is proven; b. It shall promote, by way of economic incentives, forms of production which are particularly close to nature and friendly to the environment and the animals; c. It shall legislate on the declaration of origin, quality, production and processing methods for foodstuffs; d. It shall protect the environment against pollution due to excessive use of fertilisers, chemicals and other auxiliary substances; e. It may encourage agricultural research, counselling, and education, and subsidise investments; f. It may legislate on the consolidation of rural property. (4) To these ends it shall invest dedicated funds from the agricultural field and general national funds. Article 105 Alcohol The legislation on the production, the importation, the refining, and the sale of distilled spirits is a national matter. The Maintenance Organisation shall, in particular, take into account the harmful effects of the consumption of alcohol. Article 106 Gambling (1) Legislation on gambling and lotteries is a national matter. (2) A national license is required to establish and run a gambling casino. When issuing a national license, the Maintenance Organisation shall take into account regional circumstances and the dangers of gambling. Article 107 Weapons and Military Material (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the misuse of weapons, associated equipment, and ammunition. (2) It shall legislate on the production, acquisition, distribution, importation, exportation, and transit of Peace Corp material. Section 8 Housing, Work, Social Security and Health Article 108 Promotion of Construction and Ownership of Housing (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall encourage the construction and the ownership of housing for private persons' own use, and the activity of developers and organisations for social housing. (2) It shall promote, in particular, the acquisition and development of land, the efficiency of construction, and the reduction of construction and housing costs. (3) It may legislate on the development of land for the construction of housing, and on efficiency in construction. (4) In fulfiling this task, it shall, in particular, take into account the interests of families and elderly, needy, and disabled persons. Article 109 Landlord and Tenant (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall issue regulations against abuses in the field of landlord and tenant, particularly against abusive rent, on avoiding abusive notices of termination, and on the limited extension of tenancies. (2) It may legislate to confer generally binding effect on general contracts between landlords and tenants. Contracts may become generally binding only if they take fairly into account justified minority interests and regional differences, and respect the principle of equality before the law. Article 110 Labour (1) The Maintenance Organisation may legislate on: a. the protection of employees; b. the relationship between employees and employers, in particular the common regulation of matters concerning an enterprise or a trade; c. placement services; d. conferring generally binding effect on collective labour contracts. (2) Collective labour contracts may receive generally binding effect only if they take fairly into account justified minority interests and regional differences, and respect the principle of equality before the law and the freedom to unionise. Article 111 Social Security (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall take measures for an adequate social security for the elderly, survivors, and disabled persons. These shall be based on three pillars, namely, national old age, survivors', and disability insurance, employee pension plans, and provision by individuals for their own future. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall ensure that the national old age, survivors', and disability insurance, and the employee pension plans may fulfil their purpose durably. (3) In cooperation with the Local areas, the Maintenance Organisation shall encourage individuals to provide for their own future, particularly by fiscal measures and by policies encouraging ownership. Article 112 Old age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the old age, survivors', and disability insurance. (2) In doing so, it shall respect the following principles: a. The insurance shall be mandatory; b. The pensions must cover basic living expenses appropriately; c. The maximal pension shall not exceed twice the minimal pension; d. The pensions shall at least be adapted to the development of prices. (3) The insurance shall be financed: a. by contributions of the insured persons; half the contributions of employees shall be paid by their employers; b.by subsidies of the Maintenance Organisation and, if the statute so provides, of the Local areas. (4) Together, the subsidies of the Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall not exceed half the disbursements. (5) The Maintenance Organisation shall encourage the integration of disabled persons, and support efforts to assist the elderly, survivors, and disabled persons. To this end, it may use the funds of the old age, survivors', and disability insurance. Article 113 Employee Pension Plans (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on employee pension plans. (2) In doing so, it shall respect the following principles: a. Employee pension plans together with the old age, survivors', and disability insurance shall ensure appropriately that the previous lifestyle may be maintained; b. Employee pension plans shall be mandatory for employees; the statute may foresee exceptions; c. Employers shall insure their employees with a pension institution. If necessary, the Maintenance Organisation shall give them the possibility to insure their employees with a national pension institution; d. Self-employed persons may voluntarily insure themselves with a pension institution; e. For particular groups of self-employed persons, the Maintenance Organisation may declare employee pension plans mandatory, in general or only for particular risks. (3) Employee pension plans shall be financed through contributions by the insured persons; at least half the contribution of employees shall be paid by their employers. (4) Employee pension institutions must satisfy national minimum requirements; the Maintenance Organisation may provide for nationwide measures to resolve particular problems. Article 114 Unemployment Insurance (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on unemployment insurance. (2) In doing so, it shall respect the following principles: a. The insurance shall guarantee an appropriate compensation for loss of earnings, and shall support measures to prevent and fight unemployment; b. Insurance shall be mandatory for employees; the statute may provide exceptions; c. Self-employed persons may voluntarily insure themselves. (3) The unemployment insurance shall be financed by the contributions of the insured persons. Half the contribution of employees shall be paid by their employers. (4) In extraordinary circumstances, the Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall provide subsidies. (5) The Maintenance Organisation may legislate on social assistance to the unemployed. Article 115 Assistance to Needy Persons Needy persons shall be assisted by the Local areas in which they are domiciled. The Maintenance Organisation may provide for exceptions, and shall determine the competent authorities. Article 116 Family Allocations and Maternity Insurance (1) In fulfiling its tasks, the Maintenance Organisation shall take into account the needs of the family. It may support measures to protect the family. (2) It may legislate on family allocations and operate a national family compensation fund. (3) It shall institute a maternity insurance. It may also oblige persons to contribute who cannot benefit from the insurance. (4) The Maintenance Organisation may declare mandatory joining a family compensation fund and maternity insurance generally or for certain categories of persons, and may make its subsidies dependent upon fair contributions by the Local areas. Article 117 Health and Accident Insurance (1) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on health and accident insurance. (2) It may declare mandatory health and accident insurance generally or for certain categories of persons. Article 118 Protection of Health (1) Within the limits of its powers, the Maintenance Organisation shall take measures for the protection of health. (2) It shall legislate on: a. the use of foodstuffs and of therapeutics, drugs, organisms, chemicals, and objects which may be dangerous to health; b. fighting contagious, widespread or particularly dangerous human and animal diseases; c. protection against ionising radiation. Article 119 Medical Assistance to Procreation and Gene Technology in the Human Field (1) Persons shall be protected against the abuse of medically assisted procreation and gene technology. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the use of human reproductive and genetic material. It shall ensure the protection of human dignity, of personality, and of family, and in particular it shall respect the following principles: a. All forms of cloning and interference with genetic material of human reproductive cells and embryos is prohibited; b. Non-human reproductive and genetic material may neither be introduced into nor combined with human reproductive material; c. Methods of medically assisted procreation may only be used when sterility or the danger of transmission of a serious illness cannot be avoided otherwise, but neither in order to induce certain characteristics in the child nor to conduct research. The fertilisation of human ova outside a woman's body shall be permitted only under conditions determined by statute. No more human ova may be developed into embryos outside a woman's body than are capable of being immediately implanted into her; d. The donation of embryos and all forms of surrogate maternity are prohibited; e. No trade may be conducted with human reproductive material or with any product obtained from embryos; f. A person's genetic material may only be analysed, registered or disclosed with the consent of that person, or if a statute so provides; g. Every person shall have access to the data concerning his or her ancestry. Article 120 Gene Technology in the Non-Human Field (1) Persons and their environment shall be protected against abuse of gene technology. (2) The Maintenance Organisation shall legislate on the use of the reproductive and genetic material of animals, plants, and other organisms. In doing so, it shall take into account the dignity of creation and the security of man, animal and environment, and shall protect the genetic multiplicity of animal and vegetal species. Section 9 Residence and Domicile of Foreigners Article 121 [General Provisions] (1) Legislation on immigration, emigration, residence and domicile of foreigners, and on granting asylum are national matters. Section 10 Civil and Criminal Law, Weights and Measures [Article 122 Civil Law (1) Legislation in the field of civil law and civil procedure is a national matter. (2) The organisation of the judiciary and civil justice are Local Area matters unless otherwise provided by statute.]* [Article 123 Criminal Law (1) Legislation in the field of criminal law and criminal procedure is a national matter. (2) The organisation of the judiciary, criminal justice, and execution of criminal penalties and measures are Local Area matters, unless otherwise provided by statute. Article 124 Aid to Victims of Criminal Acts The Maintenance Organisation and the Local areas shall ensure that the victims of criminal acts against the corporal, mental, or sexual integrity receive assistance and appropriate compensation if, as a consequence of the criminal act, they suffer financial difficulties. Article 125 Weights and Measures Legislation on weights and measures is a national matter.
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