Workers from the former Yugoslav territory of Kosovo have petitioned the Swiss government to help them claim pension money earned in Switzerland.

As of April 1, Kosovars have been unable to have their retirement and disability insurance payments sent to Kosovo. Instead, the workers must remain in Switzerland to receive those funds.

The Swiss government cancelled the payments over concerns of fraud and abuse, which prompted an inquiry in 2008. It failed after investigators received death threats.

In a petition delivered on Tuesday, 10,000 workers demanded that Switzerland re-consider the issue.

Unions have argued that workers should have the right to retire where they please.

Some 170,000 people with roots in Kosovo live in Switzerland.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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