Brussels, 24/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 24 April, Switzerland decided to activate its safeguard clause included in the 2002 agreements signed with the EU on the free movement of European workers. There will therefore be fewer EU workers and not only those from the eight new member states (Romania and Bulgaria are still subject to a more restrictive regime until May 2016) who will be able to go to work in Switzerland from 1 May. This clause will, however, only last a year as the 2002 agreements plan for comprehensive free movement on 1 June 2014. As explained by the Swiss mission to the EU a few days ago, this decision will mean a reduction of around 3,000 work permits awarded to Europeans out of a total of 55,000 awarded annually. B Permits are affected, that is, those that grant permission to work for five years.
“Switzerland carries a great attraction for migrants. In recent years, the number of foreign immigrants has exceeded the number of emigrants every year by around 60,000 to 80,000 units. This immigration, which remains at a high level, has positive and negative effects, particularly on the economy and employment market, social insurance, town planning, the housing market and infrastructure”, the Swiss representation explains in a press release.
From 1 May 2013, therefore, the quota of authorisations will be extended to all EU workers, but the “Federal Council will not limit the number of short-stay authorisations (up to one year), either for nationals of the EU-8 or of the EU-17”, the press release continues.
Up to 1 June 2014, Switzerland has the right to re-establish quotas for European workers unilaterally. The Federal Council is therefore aware that “the impact of this instrument will be of only a short duration and we must act for the long term”. This means that Switzerland must find alternatives, as “accompanying measures to fight salary undercutting” were already tightened up in 2012, the press release continues. The Swiss authorities will also be called upon to step up their fight against “violations of the law committed by foreigners and abuses of social security”.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said that she “regretted the decision by the Swiss government”. According to Ashton, these measures contravene the 2002 Agreement on free movement. This publication will be returning to this issue later. (SP/transl.fl)