20 Minutes. Switzerland received 27,207 requests for asylum in 2016, 31% fewer than the year before. In 2017, The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) expects around 24,500. The decline is related to the partial closure of the migration route through the Balkans, said SEM, particularly towards the end of the year. The number in December […]
What could the Chinese year of the fire rooster bring to Switzerland?
Every year in the Chinese lunar calendar is associated with one of 12 animals combined with one of five elements: metal (gold), earth, water, wood or fire. This year is the year of the fire rooster and celebrations to mark the new year take place on Saturday 28 January 2017. Roosters are hardworking, resourceful, courageous, […]
The number of cross-border workers in Geneva now exceeds 100,000
Tribune de Genève. According to the canton’s statistics office, the number of foreigners with permits allowing them to cross in to the canton of Geneva to work rose by 8.7% in 2016, reaching 104,272 by the end of December 2016. This is the highest number of G permit holders, or frontaliers, ever recorded in the canton. Because […]
Switzerland ranked number one at attracting and keeping talent, says study
This year’s 2017 Global Talent Competitiveness Index places Switzerland at the top. In addition, the study by the business school INSEAD, with input from the Adecco Group and the human capital leadership institute, puts Switzerland at or near the top on all six measures that make up the overall ranking of 118 nations. Switzerland excels […]
Muslim parents cannot exempt their daughters from mixed swimming classes
20 Minutes. Muslim parents living in Basel, who were opposed to mixed swimming classes at school, took their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The case concerned the refusal of the parents to send their daughters, who had not reached the age of puberty, to compulsory mixed swimming lessons as part of […]
One refugee’s Swiss story
Dersim Avdar came to Switzerland as a refugee 22 years ago. After completing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at the University of St. Gallen, including studies in Madrid and Beijing, he now works in the investment industry in Zurich. Evangeline de Macedo interviewed him to get his story. When did you come to Switzerland? […]
Illegal resident requests right to stay in Switzerland after taking aggressor to court
Tribune de Genève. On Wednesday, the government of Geneva received a request for a pardon. Last summer, a 46 year old Bolivian woman, living illegally in Switzerland, went to court after she was assaulted in a bar in Geneva. The woman, who was badly hurt on the face with broken glass, won her case and her […]
Swiss to avoid EU clash as immigration bill passes final hurdle
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. After three years of uncertainty, Switzerland may just have solved its immigration dispute with the European Union. Lawmakers in Bern on Friday passed a bill designed to curb EU immigration by giving locals a head start on filling job vacancies. By supporting the measure — which sidesteps quotas — […]
Swiss EU immigration – unfortunately there is no plan B, says president in interview
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Switzerland’s plan to solve an immigration dilemma with the European Union could avoid being held up by another referendum if it gets strong support in parliament next week, according to Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann. A clear result in a final vote on Dec. 16 with the Swiss People’s Party, […]
Swiss states council backs plan to force employers to interview unemployed locals before hiring foreigners
Before employing foreigners employers must first interview unemployed locals and justify why they did not employ them. This is the essence of a proposal to tighten immigration, which was approved yesterday by Switzerland’s upper house, known as the Council of States. The plan would affect employers taking on staff in occupations or professions with above […]
