Bilateral Agreements III: a committee proposes an immigration levy
Keystone-SDA
The Swiss Senate’s Political Institutions Committee has gone further than the government on the issue of the safeguard clause relating to immigration within the Switzerland–EU package of agreements. It has introduced an incentive tax as an additional protective measure.
The Bilateral Agreements III revise the rules on the free movement of people, thereby granting EU citizens better access to Switzerland. The government has adopted several national safeguard measures, such as a safeguard clause. This clause must be able to be activated on the basis of criteria indicating the presence of serious economic or social difficulties.
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The committee has supplemented these instruments with an immigration tax, parliament’s services stated on Tuesday. For people in paid employment, this levy is to be collected from employers. As regards family members, adults who have come to Switzerland under family reunification arrangements must be subject to the levy.
The committee believes this immigration tax will provide an incentive to utilise the potential of the domestic labour force. The revenue generated must be redistributed to the population. The tax will also apply to third-country nationals once the safeguard clause has been activated.
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Systematic review
With regard to the safeguard clause, the committee welcomed the fact that the government has planned to involve parliamentary committees, the cantons, the municipalities and the social partners more closely in decision-making. It has also decided that the government should review annually whether there is a need to invoke this clause.
More broadly, the committee wishes to strengthen security checks. In its view, it is necessary to systematically assess whether EU nationals applying for residence in Switzerland pose a threat to public security, public order or public health.
As for third-country nationals, a criminal record extract issued by the country of origin or residence must be required. If the assessment reveals that the person concerned poses a threat, their right of residence may be refused or restricted.
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Debates in the autumn
The commission has thus completed its examination of the aspects of the Switzerland–EU package relating to immigration law. It supports, in principle, the implementing legislation proposed by the government.
It has also made further amendments and rejected proposals to tighten the rules. The Senate will take up the matter during the autumn session.
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Translated from French, reviewed by an English Department journalist.
