The refugees should work more: tax officials put pressure on Ukrainian women

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Currently, protection status S applies to approximately 65,000 Ukrainians who have fled to Switzerland – the majority are women – and can remain in the country until at least March 2025. They cost the federal government more than a billion francs a year. That should change.

In times when the federal government needs to tighten its belt, Ukrainians must also do their part – and work more! A lack of language skills is often an obstacle to the labor market. But now the federal government is stepping on the gas: by the end of the year, the employment rate among working people aged 18 to 64 must be increased from the current 22 percent to 40 percent. The then SP Minister of Asylum and the current Minister of Social Affairs Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (60) asked for this in the Federal Council last November.

Finance Ministry officials wanted a target of 50 percent

However, the impetus for this ambitious goal did not come from Baume-Schneider himself, but from the tax official of Karin Keller-Sutter (60). This is evident from internal management documents that Blick obtained under the Public Information Act. Accordingly, the Federal Financial Administration has even put a target of 50 percent on the table in the official consultation on status S.

The financial administration has identified savings potential through greater integration into the labor market, reducing refugees’ dependence on social services and thus reducing costs. Deputy Director Martin Walker made it clear: the pressure for labor integration must be increased – “both towards individuals and towards the cantons, some of which are still not making sufficient use of the contributions that the federal government pays for integration”.

Criticism of cantons

It was not without reason that the tax authorities attacked the cantons. For integration measures such as language courses or training, they receive 3,000 francs per person annually from the federal government – ​​a total of approximately 200 million francs. However, the cantons have not yet fully invested this money in integration measures – only about 60 percent in the first half of 2023, as shown by a federal technical report. Apparently the cantons have shown varying levels of commitment so far.

If the protection status is withdrawn and the Ukrainian integration programs expire, the cantons will have to repay all unused funds, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) makes clear.

A letter from the Federal Council to those seeking protection?

SP councilor Baume-Schneider took over the financial administration with a slightly weaker version. What is needed now is not the Jura resident, but her successor as Minister of Justice, Beat Jans (59) from Basel. Together with the economic department of SVP federal councilor Guy Parmelin (64), he must ensure a higher employment rate.

The tax officials already had some suggestions ready: consider an awareness campaign for employers, an extended right of residence for people who are not dependent on social security, or a temporary recognition of diplomas. A letter from the Federal Council is also proposed to those who seek protection and do not yet have a job.

Employer’s obligation

It is still unclear which additional measures will actually be used to achieve the 40 percent quota. “It is a strategic goal that all partners must strive for together – that is, a joint task between the federal government, the cantons and the economy,” SEM spokesperson Samuel Wyss told Blick.

The message is clear: “The Federal Council expects those seeking protection to work and encourages them to learn the language.” But the economy is also held more accountable. “Employers are asked to offer opportunities to Ukrainians,” says Wyss.

Discussions are currently taking place at various levels and the results are likely to be announced at the end of April. If the implementation doesn’t work, no one should worry. Wyss: “Failure to achieve the target value is not accompanied by sanctions.”

Source:Blick