Welfare recipients in the Swiss capital Bern will be required to speak – or be learning – one of the Swiss canton’s official languages, German or French in future.
Though a minority of the Bern parliament’s Health and Social Affairs Committee (GSOK) rejected the language acquisition requirement to be written into the ‘Social Assistance Law,” the majority of deputies insisted that it is essential for foreign nationals – including those seeking government aid – to learn one of the canton’s official languages.
Opposition came mostly from the left-wing parties.
Christa Ammann from the Alternative Left argued that the wrong approach was being discussed. “The motivation to learn a language doesn’t necessarily increase if threatened with having the social assistance cut off,” she said.
As for Young Socialists (JUSO), they too are against the requirement to learn an official language.
“It is only one of many integration measures in social assistance,” the group said. “Language acquisition doesn’t need to be specifically stipulated [in law].”
Further, the requirement “creates the impression that all social assistance recipients are foreigners and don’t speak the language. That’s simply wrong.”
‘Extremely important’
Those from the middle-of-the-road, as well as from conservative parties, however, formed a majority that wants to see the new requirement implemented.
“People have a duty to integrate. That’s why the [language requirement] belongs in the law,” said Michael Elsaesser, a Liberal-Radical deputy who supported this move.
“If you give something, you can also expect cooperation and something in return,” said another supporter of the measure, Hans Marti from the Centre Party.
“Language acquisition is an extremely important means of integration,” he added.
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Deputy Pierre Alain Schnegg from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) expressed a similar sentiment.
“Language acquisition is one of the most important things for someone who wants to integrate.,” he pointed out.
“Moreover, the bar isn’t set particularly high. The beginner level A1 should be possible to master for most.”
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