The vote on Tuesday in favour of easing the law on foreign workers came as a surprise, given that a Senate committee had previously rejected putting the bill forward for debate, citing concerns about its constitutionality. The proposal will now be sent back to the committee for a more detailed discussion.
The planned amendment to the law was triggered by a motion from the Radical Liberal Party parliamentarian and entrepreneur Marcel Dobler. He argued that if Switzerland trained specialists, they should also be able to work here. After the House of Representatives passed his motion, the Federal Council drafted a bill.
Skill workers urgently needed
There are 8,500 work quotas allotted for skilled workers from third countries per year. According to Swiss public television, SRFExternal link, 4,366 degrees were awarded to individuals from third countries in 2021.
Entrepreneur Dorian Selz went through the lengthy process to hire an employee originally from India. In an interview with SRF, he says that foreign students who study in Switzerland should be given an opportunity. “If I understand it correctly, the universities are financed with public money. This would be the opportunity to give something back. I think this is the worst moment to send them away again.”
In a press release on the morning before the House of Representatives decision, Hotelleriesuisse, the hotel industry association, promoted the proposal. The integration of third-country nationals with Swiss qualifications is an effective means of supplying Swiss businesses with highly qualified and integrated skilled workers.
The Federal Council is also of the opinion that the planned amendment is constitutionally possible, said Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. Around 400 to 500 individuals are concerned. The Federal Council had argued that the focus was on individuals with a Swiss education who were usually well integrated into Swiss society.
Swiss university students are also to be included, with the House of Representatives stating, “if it is a qualified gainful employment related to the university degree”.
More
Debate
Hosted by:
Melanie Eichenberger
Did you lose or gain Swiss citizenship? How did that affect your life?
What impact has this had on your life? Tell us your story.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
This content was published on
The new regulation targets plants developed through new breeding technologies that don’t include transgenic genetic material.
WHO faces $1.8 billion budget shortfall amid US withdrawal
This content was published on
The 2026-2027 budget for the Geneva-based organisation has been reduced to $4.2 billion, on top of this year’s $600 million shortfall.
Swiss government proposes lifting nuclear power ban
This content was published on
While the centre-right and the energy sector are welcoming the Swiss government’s counter-proposal, the Greens are threatening to call a referendum.
Switzerland provisionally signs agreement on EU programmes
This content was published on
The agreement on EU programmes covers Switzerland’s involvement in initiatives like Horizon Europe, Euratom, ITER, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health.
Record-breaking winter for Swiss tourism driven by foreign visitors
This content was published on
A survey by Switzerland Tourism suggests this winter has outdone last season's record, largely thanks to foreign visitors and favourable weather conditions.
Swiss study predicts rise in global antibiotic use in farming
This content was published on
Global antibiotic use in livestock farming could rise by 2040, says a study by FAO and the University of Zurich. Switzerland expects minimal change.
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Employers’ group proposes measures to counter labour shortage
This content was published on
The Swiss Employers’ Association wants to lenghten working hours and introduce incentives to entice people into the labour market
Why the Swiss became less loyal to their employers
This content was published on
Amid the ongoing labour shortage in Switzerland employees - especially the youngest - are taking advantage of their strong position.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.