Brussels, 24/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - In order to break the deadlock created by the result of the referendum of 9 February, the Centre-Right parties and economic circles are in favour of flexible quotas for workers from the European Union, several media sources reported on Monday 24 February. Under a proposal by the Christian Democrat Party (PDC), a party which is represented in the Federal Council, which was published on Sunday by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, the Confederation would set an upper limit, which would be re-examined twice a year on the basis of the needs of the economy.
The lobby of major Swiss companies is also in favour of a similar solution, the weekly newspaper announced. The engineering industry association has argued in favour of a “safeguard clause 2” which Switzerland would be authorised to trigger if immigration from the EU exceeded certain upper limits, according to Le Temps.
“In return, Switzerland must make an offer to the EU to apply the freedom of movement with Croatia on a temporary basis”, said the president of Economiesuisse, Heinz Karrer.
The PDC's idea of bringing in flexible quotas is the brainchild of the national adviser from Zug, Gerhard Pfister, whose canton rejected the initiative of 9 February. According to Pfister, the Confederation should define sectors in which there is a lack of workers, such as hospitals. Employers in these sectors would be automatically authorised to recruit European workers. The others would have to to obtain prior confirmation that it was not possible for them to recruit the labour they need locally.
The limits set in place could be changed. This system, Pfister argues, respects the will of the people and allows Switzerland to have an independent migration policy.
Berne plans to present a bill by the end of the year reflecting the results of 9 February and is stepping up diplomatic contacts in the meantime, to find a solution acceptable to the EU and the Croatians (see EUROPE 11023). (SP/transl.fl)