Ending welfare payments to rejected asylum seekers has proven effective in encouraging them to leave Switzerland, the Federal Migration Office says.
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But 15 per cent linger and collect emergency aid, it announced on Thursday.
When legislation put a limit on welfare payments two years ago, the idea was that people would soon head back home. Yet it seems that some would rather tough it out in Switzerland than return to their homelands.
A study commissioned by the federal and cantonal governments offers some insight into why this is. The emergency aid consists of food, shelter and medicine, but hardly affords ex-asylum-seekers a comfortable lifestyle.
According to the study, people are more likely to remain in cantons with large populations. The tendency to stay is higher among elderly people, women, couples and families.
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