Switzerland’s low unemployment rate is the envy of many EU countries. However, in the third quarter of 2019, Switzerland underperformed the EU. Recent statistics show Switzerland’s overall rate of unemployment in the third quarter rose from 4.2% (Q3 2018) to 4.6% (Q3 2019) or 225,000 unemployed workers – these figures are based on the International […]
7-step guide to hiring a cleaner in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.ch 1. What do cleaners cost in Switzerland? Cleaners are expensive in Switzerland. Prices typically range from around CHF 20 to CHF 30 an hour depending on the location and level of experience. Prices are high, partly because of the high value of the Swiss franc. There is no guaranteed minimum wage […]
Woman set to lose Swiss citizenship
Last month Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) stripped a dual national of his Swiss nationality. Now it has started the process of removing Swiss nationality from a woman who is also a citizen of France and Tunisia, according to Le Matin. SEM recently announced in the Federal Gazette that it had started the process of […]
Swiss fact: 44 Swiss municipalities have changed their official language since 1950
Language is a complicated matter in Switzerland. The nation has four official languages and numerous other languages and dialects. On top of this some Swiss have had to cope with shifting language borders. Between 1860 and 2000, 83 municipalities, known as communes (in French), Einwohnergemeinde1 (in German), comuni (in Italian) and vischnancas (in Romanche), changed their official […]
Initiative to house asylum seekers outside Switzerland approved
A initiative seeking a popular vote on a plan to house asylum seekers in secure zones in their home country or nearby was validated by federal officials this week. The initiative, which originates from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), would require asylum applicants to stay in these secure zones until their applications were processed. Successful […]
Why Switzerland ranked near the top of the 2019 global competitiveness ranking
Switzerland made the the top 5, after dropping from 4th to 5th, in this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index. Switzerland’s decline was largely due to a down weighting of a factor where it is strong, according to WEF’s Saadia Zahidi. The Global Competitive Index measures performance in 114 areas that influence a […]
Rumoured plan to repatriate Daesh families to Switzerland
According to various newspapers, including Tribune de Genève, some members of Switzerland’s federal government are considering a plan to repatriate Daesh families from the middle east to Switzerland. The plan, which newspapers say could find support among members of the Federal Council, would involve bringing four mothers and seven children back to Switzerland. Two of […]
Swiss parliament rejects initiative to limit immigration
Last week, Switzerland’s parliament voted against an initiative put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) to limit immigration into Switzerland, according to RTS. The idea was rejected by 123 votes to 63. The UDC was the only party to support it. If a majority of Swiss voters support the initiative the government would have […]
Old Swiss residence permits to be phased out
The format of the residence permits issued to foreigners in Switzerland depends on the country of origin and type of stay. Currently, those from EU and EFTA countries and a few other types of foreign residents get paper permits that come in a plastic cover. Others get plastic credit card sized ones, which contain their […]
Initiative to house asylum seekers outside Switzerland
This week, a group of politicians from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) announced a new popular initiative aimed at asylum seekers, according to the newspaper 20 Minutes. The initiative aims to put in place a system of on-the-spot asylum assistance where asylum seekers are housed in secure zones in their home country or nearby. Switzerland […]
