NEWS FROM:
LOCATION Switzerland
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Switzerland Opens Labor Market to 20 EU and EFTA Nations
Quota System Eliminated as of June 1 but with Right to Re-Introduce
NEW YORK, June 6 – Technology
companies and other businesses in Switzerland that require skilled personnel
will benefit by borders being open to people from the 15 original EU and 5 EFTA
nations, reports Mario Brossi of the Swiss Inward Investment Promotion Agency
Location: Switzerland. While the
alpine nation has long allowed free movement of personnel across borders,
quotas previously limited companiesÕ abilities to hire needed staff on a
permanent basis, he said.
ÒThe lifting of quotas is expected to
be a boon to companies such as Google, Dell, IBM, Microsoft, Biosite, VeriSign,
Kraft, Electronic Arts, P&G, Dow, EDSD, DuPont, H-P, Eaton, Kennemetal,
O-I, Hercules, Caterpillar, Cargill, Medtronic, Cisco Systems and others
requiring skilled personnel in excess of those graduating from our many
universities and institutes of technology,Ó Mr. Brossi said. ÒForeign-based
firms with facilities here as well as SwitzerlandÕs own companies now can draw
staff from among the best Europe has to offer.Ó
Another result of the open border
agreement, which was concluded with Brussels five years ago, is that
cross-border worker ÒcommutersÓ are allowed to work anywhere in Switzerland,
not just in the border regions. By year-end 2006 there were 190,000 such
workers in the country.
Mr. Brossi said the agreement, which
has a trial period extending beyond one year, has a safety clause permitting
Switzerland to re-impose quotas for another two years if immigration increases
more than ten percent above a three-year average.
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Contact: John Williamson +908 730-9622