The case
The Swiss Liberal Democratic Party’s President, Thierry Burkart, has come up with a proposal suggesting the implementation of an immigration tax on Swiss companies that hire foreign workers as part of ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) regarding the free movement of workers.
The commentary
Burkart’s idea, that he shared in an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, is driven by concerns about the impact of foreign workers on Swiss public services, such as education and healthcare. Burkart argues that while foreign workers contribute to the country’s prosperity, they also increase the demand for public resources.
He believes this immigration tax would make companies carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of hiring foreign workers. Additionally, he advocates a safeguard clause that would give Switzerland more control over immigration. He stresses that the EU should make concessions to accommodate Switzerland’s unique position, but also calls on the Swiss government to reform its domestic policies and to address the issue effectively.