Experts call for integration of foreigners
Joint efforts by the federal, regional and local authorities are needed to boost the integration of foreigners in Switzerland, say experts.
This was the main conclusion of a nationwide conference on integration – the first of its kind – attended by Justice Minister Christoph Blocher.
Speaking in Biel on Thursday, Blocher said current policies had not succeeded in integrating certain groups of foreigners into Swiss society.
But Blocher – who is known for his tough line on asylum and immigration – added that illegal immigrants and most asylum seekers were not eligible for integration efforts and should leave the country.
Moves are underway in parliament to tighten the asylum law in a bid to make the country less attractive to illegal immigrants – a move criticised by refugee and church groups.
Foreigners currently make up about 20 per cent of the population in Switzerland.
Making the effort
For his part, the head of the Federal Migration Office, Eduard Gnesa, said it was not just up to the authorities to take action.
“The new law [under discussion in parliament] says that immigrants have to make an effort to integrate,” he said.
Gnesa added, however, that it was wrong to turn a blind eye to the social problems associated with immigration, such as the fact that a high proportion of criminals were non-Swiss and that unemployment was three times higher among foreigners than among Swiss citizens.
Young immigrants often needed special schooling to prepare for professional careers, he said.
Other speakers at the conference said successful integration was central to the future of the Swiss economy and a cohesive society.
High percentage
About 25 per cent of the population are children of immigrants or people who came to Switzerland after the Second World War, said experts.
They reminded delegates that foreigners were also responsible for a quarter of all work carried out in Switzerland and that one in three marriages were now bi-national.
About 85 per cent of foreigners live in urban areas, notably around Geneva, Lausanne and Basel.
The meeting, which Gnesa called an “important step” towards the better integration of foreigners, was organised by the Tripartite Conference of Urban Areas.
The body was established in 2001 and is made up of representatives of the federal, cantonal and local authorities.
Last month a first nationwide meeting of immigrant organisations in Switzerland called for more political rights for foreigners.
swissinfo with agencies
Foreigners make up just over 20% of the population in Switzerland.
85% of them live in urban areas.
A quarter of the work volume is done by foreigners.
Unemployment among the foreign population is three times higher than among Swiss citizens.
There are up to 100,000 illegal immigrants in Switzerland.
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