The close result of the vote shows that a majority, despite undeniable challenges, kept a cool head and opted against an initiative that would have failed to provide a solution. On the contrary, it would have created many new problems.
However, the discontent among large sections of the population, including within the “no” camp, became clearly evident during the intense campaign. This dissatisfaction is directed at the high level of immigration in recent years as well as the rapid pace of change, overstretched infrastructure and housing shortages in urban centres. Unresolved issues within the asylum system also play a major role. These include crime, insufficient willingness to integrate, abuse and a lack of decisive action taken by policymakers and authorities. Many people are concerned by a sense of being foreigners in their own country given the high number of foreign employees without local language skills, especially in the service industries, and the presence of non-native-speaking children in schools. And, last but not least, it cannot be disputed that both politics and the business community have lost a great deal of trust.
Solving problems – restoring trust
Following today's “no” vote, policymakers and business associations are therefore all the more called upon to address the issues rightly raised by the public. Decisive action needs to be taken, for example in the area of asylum policy, while liberal solutions are needed in areas such as housing. Numbers in the asylum system must be kept to a minimum, deportations increased, amendments to international agreements and the European Court of Human Rights demanded and respect for our laws and values required from asylum seekers.
The business community must continue its efforts to provide people in Switzerland with secure jobs and future prospects – even if this is far more difficult than suggested by campaign slogans. To this end, policymakers must create incentives to ensure that gainful employment remains worthwhile. Any increase in non-wage labour costs must be avoided, as this would leave workers with less money in their pockets. Misplaced incentives must also be eliminated. For example, it should be examined how subsidies in healthcare, housing, childcare, etc. can be linked to employment levels. Furthermore, the growing number of disability pension recipients due to mental health issues should be addressed through targeted incentives and stronger labour market integration.
Companies in the tech industry will continue to be strongly committed. They have long placed an emphasis on domestic skilled labour – whether through the training of 20,000 apprentices, their commitment to promoting technical skills and encouraging girls from pre-school age or their focus on the continuing education of their own specialists right the way up to ETH-level qualifications. This has helped to keep the proportion of foreign employees stable at around 18% over the past 15 years. Nevertheless, the shortage of skilled labour remains a persistent problem. The sector will continue its efforts, but would inevitably face considerable challenges to the detriment of the wider public if quotas were in fact to be introduced.
Amendment to the Civilian Service Act
Swissmem welcomes the fact that the electorate has approved the amendment to the Civilian Service Act. The aim is to make it more difficult to transfer from the Armed Forces to civilian service and thus to safeguard the personnel strength of the Armed Forces. In view of the increasingly tense international security situation, Switzerland’s defence capability must be bolstered. This will support Switzerland’s security and also boost the attractiveness of the country as a business location. The Armed Forces need not only more financial resources, but also sufficient personnel.
For further information please contact:
Noé Blancpain, Member of Management and Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Tel. +41 44 384 48 65 / mobile +41 78 748 61 63
E-mail n.blancpainnoSpam@swissmem.ch
Philippe Cordonier, Member of Management and Head of Swissmem Romandie
Tel. +41 44 384 42 30 / mobile +41 79 644 46 77
E-mail p.cordoniernoSpam@swissmem.ch