A lot a PhD students get a lot less than 78k. ETH being federally funded, they pay better than most. Also varies between institute, research area, professor, funding source, phase of the moon etc...

Back to the original topic, a friend of mine was receiving unemployment after quitting (or maybe being asked to quit) her PhD in a lab here. And she was from eastern Europe, I think the main part is if you've contributed for 24 months, you're entitled to it....but I'd start checking with the authorities first.