Integration tested

After the New Year’s riots in Berlin, the debate on immigration policy flared up in Germany. But the riots in the German capital cannot simply be carried over to Switzerland.

Abroad, predominantly young offenders are characterized primarily by their anger at the state, unemployment and socialization problems. But in Switzerland, things are relatively calm, except for conflicts under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There is hardly any mention of “missing youth”, “unsuccessful integration” or “migrants left behind”.

Denise Efionayi-Mäder, a migration researcher from the University of Neuchâtel, emphasizes that although all the state’s efforts are ineffective and integration sometimes takes a long time, conditions are far from those of major European cities: “Socio-economic conditions are much better in this country.”

12 percent neither in their education nor in their teaching

Concretely, public schools are equally good in rich or poor neighborhoods, wherever educational funds are available, language courses or tutoring are institutionalized. It also offers the opportunity to progress with the dual education system. According to Efionayi, procedures have been expedited with the revision of the asylum law. Refugees spend less time in waiting mode – less frustration of waiting.

But two figures catch your attention: In 2021, almost 12 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds with a first-generation immigrant background were neither studying nor doing apprenticeships. Nothing has changed in this value in ten years. In the case of local youth, this only applies to a good two percent.

And: The unemployment rate for refugees of the same age temporarily admitted is still over 40 percent five years after entry. Migration researcher Efionayi says Switzerland can’t get enough of that. Looking back over the past few years, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has determined that education and employment integration between temporarily admitted youth and refugees has “gradually improved”.

“This may be due, among other things, to various measures newly introduced by the federal government and cantons to promote employability,” says SEM spokesman Samuel Wyss. Strategy of the revised integration agenda: working through education. Wyss explains that while in the past immigrants were brought to the labor market as quickly as possible, today the focus is on education and language acquisition “to meet the growing demands of the Swiss labor market”.

Lack of equal opportunity

Efionayi says it would be presumptuous to speak of equal opportunity despite all measures: “Cantonal differences in particular mean that young immigrants do not have the same opportunities.” For example, if you come to the canton of Jura, where things are rare, you have to be patient.

The unions see another problem: Julius Kopp, the youth secretary of Unia, criticizes that companies often pay less for their employees without Swiss passports. We are still far from the ideal of equal pay for equal work and fair access to education and training for all. According to Kopp, non-recognition of foreign diplomas and precarious residency status are additional negative factors in determining fees.

First-generation immigrants and refugees between the ages of 15 and 24 are particularly affected. More than 60 percent work as panelists, floors, heaters or plumbers and therefore for low wages.

Cheap labor instead of proper education

For many young immigrants, problems begin even before the start of the apprenticeship. Because they are assigned to certain origin groups, they often do not get the apprenticeships they want. And: Once the apprenticeship begins, the challenges don’t end.

Trade unionist Kopp: “Young immigrants are often used as cheap labor instead of getting a proper education.” This has dramatic consequences: Many people pass the final exam.

Figures from the Federal Statistics Office (BFS) show that in 2021, more than 25 percent of apprentices failed plate layers alone. This figure represents the misery in handicraft, which has an above-average rate of foreigners.

That’s why the unions are demanding tighter control: “Vocational training offices must monitor training companies more and more systematically,” says Kopp. But lastly, there is a lack of willpower and human resources. In fact, VET offices rarely intervene and withdraw training permits from defective companies.

Migration researcher Efionayi says existing structures need to be expanded and improved so that Switzerland doesn’t have to discuss “migrants left behind” in the future. And he warns: “If the centre-right tries to reduce the number of temporary admissions, we will never achieve the goal of fair integration.”