The debate on the package of agreements between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) has started to take shape, with a significant focus on wage protection for posted workers. This critical discussion will take place in Parliament next year, but the wheels are already turning as the Swiss Federal Council recently made new announcements regarding their stance on March 21, 2025.
These new measures have been presented as a compromise, aimed at garnering support from employee organizations for the agreement package with the EU. However, they also face scrutiny since some of the proposed changes appear to contravene Switzerland's liberal labor market model. The ongoing dialogue indicates that the intricacies of labor rights, worker protections, and international agreements are at the forefront of political consideration.
At the same time, the EU Migration Pact, which was adopted in 2024 after extensive negotiations among member states, is also a focal point for the Swiss authorities. The Federal Council announced on March 21, its intent to participate in the renewal of the Schengen/Dublin system, which they believe will reduce irregular immigration into Switzerland. They emphasized that this new regulation would introduce rapid and efficient processes through triage centers established at the EU's external borders.
"La Suisse, naturellement, sera soulagée, parce qu'il y aura davantage de procédures aux frontières extérieures et moins de procédures au sein de l'Europe," remarked Vincenzo Mascioli, head of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), during an interview with RTS. By these measures, authorities expect a more streamlined immigration process, where individuals seeking asylum would quickly undergo identity, security, and health checks, enabling a swift resolution regarding their status.
These reforms gather support from some political entities, notably The Centre and PLR, who generally welcome the changes but highlight the need to ensure protections for vulnerable populations. Yet the adherence to the Migration Pact has elicited criticism particularly from asylum defense groups, the Greens, and the UDC. The details of the revised regulations have raised concerns, especially since they require more extensive data collection than what currently exists, including facial images and fingerprints of individuals aged six and older—an expansion that NGOs argue raises ethical and privacy concerns.
Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini, a Green National Councilor, voiced her opposition to the new sorting of migrants and stricter Dublin rules by saying, "Construire une forteresse autour de l'Europe n'est pas la meilleure manière pour essayer de gérer au mieux des flux qui ont toujours existé," indicating a strong stance on the necessity of humane treatment for migrants and asylum seekers.
Conversely, the UDC has raised issues with the proposed solidarity mechanism embedded within the EU reforms. This mechanism aims to provide support to European countries that experience the highest influx of migrants, such as Greece and Italy. Under the plan, other EU states will be responsible for accepting either a portion of their refugees or contributing funds to assist in their care. UDC National Councilor Didier Calame has stated, "Aujourd'hui, l'Union européenne ne respecte déjà pas les accords de Dublin," arguing for a more stringent enforcement of national border controls instead of participating in this broader solidarity component.
As these discussions evolve, Switzerland's position and willingness to engage with new EU immigration regulations will remain a significant topic of debate going into the parliamentary discussions this summer. The participation in the solidarity mechanism will be addressed at a later date, with potential referendums on the horizon regarding Swiss commitment to these measures.
In summary, the convergence of labor rights and migration reform represents a critical intersection of policy that the Swiss government must navigate thoughtfully, as they prepare for the implications of participating in agreements with the EU and addressing the complex realities of immigration. The outcomes from these discussions will not only impact Switzerland's social and economic landscapes but also shape the nation's identity in how it approaches fundamental human rights and labor protections.
