Switzerland proposes limits on number of immigrants

At the same time as a standoff with the European Union is about to begin, Switzerland’s government has proposed an annual limit to the number of immigrants allowed in.

The Swiss government’s proposal, announced today by e-mail, sets out quotes and maximum numbers of immigrants allowed into the wealthy country. Although the scheme still favours EU member state migrants, the European Commission still considers any restrictions of numbers to be in conflict with existing treaties between Switzerland and itself.

By Swiss law, the results of an earlier national referendum which indicated a majority in favour of controlled immigration must be implemented. The referendum followed protests in the normally peaceful country over what citizens called ‘mass immigration’.

At the present time, one fifth of Switzerland’s eight million residents are immigrants from overseas. Most arrived from EU member states including France, Italy and Germany, attracted by the country’s favourable tax laws, and most were able to freely take jobs due to various bilateral agreements.

Although Switzerland is not a European Union member state, its status and wealth have resulted in trade and other agreements beneficial to both sides. However, according to Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga, the referendum is now part of the country’s constitution, and must be honoured.

EU sanctions, including a student exchange programme and the suspension of talks on connecting Swiss utilities to the energy market operated by the EU, have already been applied. According to Brussels, a renegotiation of the immigration agreements already signed was, and still is, impossible.

The Swiss proposal involves a maximum number of immigrants, to be calculated annually, as well as individual quotas for each canton. Growth, the unemployment rate and availability of jobs will all be considered.

International observers and the Swiss National Bank believe that immigration curbs will affect economic growth. Pharmaceutical and chemical companies in the country are also raising concerns over their needs for skilled workers.