Cabinet rejects special permits for high-tech specialists
The government has decided not follow the lead of countries such as Germany in awarding extra work permits for information technology specialists. It has rejected calls for 10,000 special work permits to be set aside for computer experts.
French-speaking members of both chambers of parliament had asked the authorities to consider the move, saying it would encourage the creation of new companies in Switzerland.
Under the proposal, the permits would have been handled by the federal government, rather than the cantons, which are normally responsible for issuing work permits.
The government has turned down similar proposals in the past, arguing that the requirements of other economic sectors must be satisfied, too.
The government says statistical evidence shows that Switzerland does not have a shortage of computer specialists. They added that newly trained Swiss computer specialists will also be available in the near future.
Swiss firms will also gradually be able to recruit staff from the European Union, thanks to a bilateral agreement between Brussels and Bern on the free movement of people.
Last week the government announced that it would be making available an extra 5,000 annual permits as well as 6,000 short-term ones.
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