The House of Representatives on Wednesday followed the Senate in approving a motion urging cabinet to present plans to ensure “a more orderly immigration”.
A majority of centre-right and rightwing parliamentarians criticised that immigration has remained high despite an economic crisis. The centre-left voted against the motion.
Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga argued there was no need for further regulations but the government was taking seriously the concerns of the population.
“The economy says how much and what kind of foreign labour from European Union countries they need,“ she told the house.
Sommaruga added that there are immigration quotas for citizens from countries outside the EU and the European Free Trade Association.
A labour accord between Switzerland and the EU has guaranteed free movement of people since 2002.
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NGOs highlight plight of illegal immigrants
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The number of crimes recorded in the Police Crime Statistics by the Federal Statistics Office declined to 656,858 in 2010, compared with 676,309 in 2009 – a drop of two per cent. However, infractions of the Narcotics Act increased four per cent, while violations of the Aliens Law rose by seven per cent, the statistics…
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She announced that Switzerland will take in 35 refugees from a United Nations camp on the border between Iraq and Syria in the spirit of the country’s longstanding humanitarian tradition. Sommaruga, who took up her post at the head of the justice and police ministry last October, added she was aware that an election year…
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The monthly rate for round-the-clock care can range from SFr10,000-30,000 ($10,950-32,800) – assuming that the workers are local. Enter workers from abroad, who are willing to do the work for a fraction of that price plus room and board. Although there are no figures available, the number of foreign care workers on duty in Switzerland…
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An office opened in Basel in 1998 to promote the integration of immigrants via a series of measures including language courses. The Basel model is considered the most advanced in Switzerland. In Geneva new immigrants can turn to several associations for assistance, but there is a lack of coordination. (TSR)
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