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Swiss Politics

Foreign population inches towards 20 per cent mark

This content was published on Jun 26, 2000 The Federal Aliens Office said on Monday the number of foreign residents had risen by 20,000 over the past year, to just under 1.38 million. The figures exclude seasonal workers, asylum-seekers and international civil servants. The single largest group of nationals is from Italy: with 325,000 people, they make up 23.7 per cent of the…

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Swiss Politics

Foreign population inches towards 20 per cent mark

This content was published on Jun 26, 2000 The Federal Aliens Office said on Monday the number of foreign residents had risen by 20,000 over the past year, to just under 1.38 million. The figures exclude seasonal workers, asylum-seekers and international civil servants. The single largest group of nationals is from Italy: with 325,000 people, they make up 23.7 per cent of the…

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Swiss Politics

Germany and Switzerland compare notes on army reform

This content was published on Jun 26, 2000 The Swiss government has proposed slashing the army from its current strength of 360,000 troops to 120,000, not including up to 80,000 reservists. Germany is expected to have a total of half a million under colours, including reservists. Both ministers reiterated their determination to retain conscription as a means of recruitment. Scharping said he was…

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Swiss Politics

Dreifuss calls for unity in the fight against poverty

This content was published on Jun 25, 2000 The forum was funded by the Swiss government and is aimed at offering a voice to non-governmental organsiations, unions, and other sections of civil society on the issues of globalisation. Around 3,500 participants have been registered. Dreifuss said the alternative forum was an opportunity for all parties concerned to get together and exchange points of…

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Swiss Politics

UN world summit for social development opening in Geneva

This content was published on Jun 25, 2000 The special session of the United Nations General Assembly – the first to be held at the UN’s European headquarters at the Palais des Nations in Geneva – will bring together some 4,000 officials, but there are no heads of state or government leaders from industrialised countries attending the five-day conference. The summit is a…

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Swiss Politics

President Ogi says Swiss support UN membership bid

This content was published on Jun 24, 2000 Ogi was speaking at the Children’s World Festival in Basel, where he and Annan were the main guests of honour. Swiss voters rejected joining the UN by an overwhelming majority 14 years ago. However, recent opinion polls show attitudes toward the world body have undergone a sea change. The cabinet is expected to consult political…

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Swiss Politics

Parliament votes to increase Swiss maternity leave

This content was published on Jun 23, 2000 The House passed a motion calling for 14 weeks of paid leave for working mothers. Swiss law already bans women from working during the first eight weeks after giving birth. But the idea of merely paying women during these eight weeks was deemed to be too short. Some right-of-centre members of parliament opposed the move,…

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Swiss Politics

Senate backs plan to arm Swiss soldiers

This content was published on Jun 21, 2000 Swiss contingents are currently deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo to provide support in logistics and infrastructure projects. For the time being, Swiss soldiers can only carry side-arms, but the Senate’s decision would allow them to be equipped with heavier weapons. The vote was in line with government proposals, already approved by the House of Representatives.…

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Swiss Politics

Former civil servants take up cudgels for foreigners

This content was published on Jun 20, 2000 The groups used to be represented on the Federal Commission on Foreigners but resigned in January in protest at the government’s decision to incorporate it into the police office for foreigners. They say they intend to set up an umbrella group as an alternative to the old foreigners commission. Claudio Micheloni, who represents the influential…

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Swiss Politics

Government under fire as Switzerland marks refugee day

This content was published on Jun 17, 2000 Swiss refugee day, which takes place today, is an annual event organised by the refugee aid society. Markus Loosli used the occasion to draw attention to the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. Addressing the society’s annual general meeting, Loosli urged the authorities to do more to help integrate people who have sought…

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