Changes for Swiss Businesses in Summer 2018

As from July 2018, Swiss employers must voice any job openings that have a higher than average unemployment rate. The Federal Council have announced that from 1st July; they will list any occupations with an 8% or higher unemployment rate. By 2020, industries with a 5% or higher unemployment rate will be required to notify the council of any job openings.

What is the current issue?

In 2014, Switzerland adopted an initiative called ‘Against Mass Immigration’. This initiative limits the quota of people moving to the country. However, the Swiss Parliament passed a compromise immigration law in 2016, in the hopes that the country could continue to keep its enhanced access to the European Union’s single market.

This new law required employers to advertise job opportunities in occupations that saw higher than average unemployment levels to job centres. It also prioritised the local residents for jobs that may have previously recruited from outside of the country. However, the ‘Against Mass Immigration’ initiative has since ended and the new requirements for 2018 have been brought in; this is to ensure that the local job seekers get priority over job openings than anyone else.

Who will this effect and how will it affect them?

For employers and employees based in Switzerland; the new requirement is bound to affect you. For employers looking to hire workers from outside the country; you will be expected to advertise your job openings via the local job centre. Then you will have to wait five business days before advertising elsewhere.

Once the jobcentre receives applications from the local job seekers; they must send them to the employer within three days, where you will be expected to interview the prospective candidates.

How can Galleon International help you and your business?

At Galleon International, we help to manage and support companies to relocate employees to destinations like Switzerland; Singapore and the United States. As global relocation experts; our knowledge of the process of moving overseas and our experience with transferee management has helped many employees settle into their new jobs abroad.

Therefore, if you would like to speak to the Galleon International team of experts about our corporate relocation options. Get in touch today on 01708 868 068.