Brussels, 01/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Switzerland wants to keep better control on the wrongdoings of EU nationals in the field of freedom of movement of people, the Swiss media reported this week. The Swiss Federal Office for Migration (ODM) and the cantons are, initially, planning on creating a surveillance service. The ODM is said, in particular, to be targeting unfounded requests for social benefits, spurious residency and wage dumping, the media say. The agreement on free movement between Switzerland and the EU first and foremost regulates the residence permits for workers and their families, likely to generate requests for social benefits, the ATS press agency states. It explains, however, that this does not provide any protection against those who migrate to Switzerland with the sole aim of taking advantage of social benefits. Swiss concerns were mainly heightened in 2012 by the arrival of many nationals from the southern EU, especially Portugal, Italy and Spain, who found low paid employment. Once registered as unemployed, they decide to remain in the country, however, to benefit from the generous Swiss social benefits, the same media reports state.
The number of EU citizens receiving social benefits in Switzerland increased last year by 6.2% (i.e. 1,844 people) to 31,700, according to Swiss social assistance statistics. By way of the agreement on free movement, European nationals have the same rights to social benefits as Swiss citizens. The subject of potential abuse has, however, never been raised at the joint committee established by the free trade agreement, says Sébastien Brabant, Commission spokesman. The Commission and the EEAS are closely monitoring every measure by the Swiss authorities that could have an impact on the functioning of the agreements between the European Union and Switzerland. These measures may, where necessary, be subject to monitoring. (SP/transl.jl)