Switzerland's upper house backed a proposal to make employers pay a fee when they hire foreign staff, a hot topic in a country where many multinationals argue they need smooth access to global talent. Details posted Tuesday on parliament's site outline a levy of no less than 2,000 francs per worker, tied to preset thresholds for immigration, joblessness, or welfare use being breached.
Lawmakers positioned the tax as part of a safeguard clause that Switzerland could activate if immigration from the EU creates what they call "serious economic or social problems." They have not yet decided whether the charge would be a one-off or billed annually. One proponent, center-right lawmaker Andrea Caroni, framed the pitch this way earlier this year: "Immigrants are settling into a ready-made nest in Switzerland," adding, "So we can ask them to pay something for that."
The fee would be introduced solely in the event that voters approve a package of agreements that refresh Switzerland's links to the EU, including the bloc's free movement of people. The treaty package is designed to steady Switzerland's access to the single market but must clear a nationwide vote, which is not expected before next spring.
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The bill now moves to the lower house, which also needs to sign off. Separately on Tuesday, the upper chamber voted that newcomers from EU countries should be required to provide a criminal record check. If you live or work in Switzerland, watch this debate for what it could mean for hiring costs, staffing flexibility, and wage pressures where you are.
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