Asked to a referendum to vote for or against limits to “massive immigration” on Sunday, February 9, 2014, 50.3 percent of Swiss citizens voted for this restriction and the reinstatement of migration quotas. This referendum, initiated by the conservative-liberal party – UDC – is an affront to employers, unions and the biggest political parties, who campaigned against the proposal. It also questions the “Bilateral Agreements I” signed with Brussels in June 1999 – 7 agreements on the economic integration of Switzerland in the European Economic Area, the first being that on the free movement of people. Now, the Swiss government and Parliament have three years to negotiate with Brussels and translate citizens’ decision into a federal law. Before the European Commission gives an official reaction, the country is wondering about the social and economic consequences of this vote, as 24.5 percent of workers are foreign citizens. Planet Labor is explaining the national and European impact of this vote.
Why do Swiss people want to control their immigration again? On Sunday, February 9, a small majority (50.3 percent – unusually high turnout of 56 percent) of Swiss citizens approved the popular initiative launched by the conservative-liberal party, UDC. The initiative demands “limits to massive immigration” in Switzerland. The ‘yes’ vote won – both regarding the percentage of votes and the majority of districts. Globally speaking, German-speaking Switzerland (except Zurich) and the Italian Ticino approved an initiative that was mostly rejected by the French-speaking citizens.
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