The Italian seasonal workers in Switzerland

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The May 1st demonstrations were an occasion to demand more rights for foreign workers – as shown here in St Gallen in the 1970s. hmsg.ch

At the end of the 1960s: an Italian primary school class in St. Gallen. hmsg.ch

Like swallows, the Italian seasonal workers generally returned to Switzerland in the spring. Many commuted for years between the two worlds and spent months separated from their families. hmsg.ch

At the border the seasonal workers had to hand over their passports to the government officials and undergo various checks. hmsg.ch

The guest labourers had to undergo humiliating medical examinations before being granted a work permit. The photo shows migrants waiting in line for their exams at the train station in Buchs, canton St. Gallen. hmsg.ch

Waiting for medical exams (left); Italian primary school students (right). hmsg.ch

The Italian schools, like this one in St Gallen, were important meeting places for seasonal workers, providing both social and cultural support. hmsg.ch

Seasonal workers in the Buchs train station. hmsg.ch

May 1st demonstration in St Gallen at the beginning of the 1970s. hmsg.ch

The seasonal workers who had to leave the country after nine months demanded the right to be able to move freely between their two countries. hmsg.ch

Many seasonal workers left their children with their grandparents in Italy. Others broke the rules and brought their children to live with them in Switzerland. Hundreds of Italian children lived in Switzerland secretly, sometimes for years. hmsg.ch

The so-called "closet children" were unable to officially attend school. hmsg.ch

A May 1st demo in St Gallen at the beginning of the 1970s. Over the years, the government policy of forbidding workers to bring their families was denounced as an inhuman approach to limiting immigration. hmsg.ch

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Following the Second World War and until 2002, hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers came from Italy to Switzerland, where they were often forced to live under inhumane conditions. A photo exhibit in St Gallen focuses on their daily life. Immigrants from Switzerland's southern neighbour still make up the largest diaspora in Switzerland. 

During the economic boom that followed the Second World War, there was a labour shortage in Switzerland. A decision was made to recruit foreign workers, and in 1948 Switzerland signed a recruitment contract with Italy. Switzerland’s goal was clear: increase the number of workers without allowing them to settle permanently.

The regulations were tough: the seasonal workers were allowed to stay in Switzerland a maximum of nine months, they were prohibited from claiming social benefits, and they weren’t allowed to bring their families with them. The Italian immigrant workers (later there were workers from Spain and Portugal as well) had to live in makeshift barracks on the edges of society.

In spite of the fact that their economic contribution was essential, the stream of foreign workers caused resentment, and in the 1960s and 1970s intolerance led to a variety of xenophobic initiatives.

Special attention was paid to the Italians, partly because they were the largest group. Whereas in 1950 they numbered around 140,000, 20 years later the total had climbed to 600,000.

The strong Italian presence led to the formation of schools, associations and clubs. Although many of the migrants returned to their home country during the year, a large number remained in Switzerland.

Today the more than 300,000 Italians in Switzerland constitute the largest foreign community. Whereas previously most of the immigrants were labourers, today it is mainly university graduates in search of a better life in Switzerland.

The photos displayed in St Gallen’s Museum of History and EthnologyExternal link were taken in canton St Gallen in the 1970s and 1980s by Raniero Fratini, a journalist with the Italian-language Swiss public radio service RSI.

(Photos: Raniero Fratini; Text: Stefania Summermatter)