Switzerland enforces new quota for EU workers

[keithisco]

...as a warning to those who think that leaving the EU will give them the Sovereign freedoms that they believe they will obtain, whilst still having free trade with the EU. This is just one example from Switzerland, who has to accept free movement from EU Members to maintain a free trade agreement with the EU.

"The Swiss have made a series of deals with the EU on the free movement of people in return for access to European markets.

The European Commission has warned that the quotas could jeopardise relations."

Whether the UK stays inside or outside of the EU, it cannot be guaranteed that it will not have to sign up to many of those Treaty areas that appear to cause most contention to many in the UK.

This is why it is important to understand what the limits of any re-negotiation really are, and for Cameron to be absolutely honest with the electorate on what is possible (anybody heard anything more from the Tories on areas of negotiation?). I am certain there will be lots of other issues to allow Cameron to "duck" out of stating his position on EU negotiations, and certainly the influx of Romanians and Bulgarians will simply carry on (from Jan 1st 2014) unabated and unchallenged

Read more (curtesy BBC): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22738774

[stevewinn]

from the same piece/link.

the Swiss have little to complain about. They have a jobless rate of less than 3%, higher economic growth than expected and a strong currency. But there is concern in Switzerland about a growing influx of workers from poorer EU members. A recent government statement said the number of people arriving in the country had exceeded the number leaving by up to 80,000 in recent years.

The Swiss government has come under pressure from both the right-wing People's Party and the Green Liberal Party, which say immigration has reached unsustainable levels. Switzerland is determined not to share Europe's economic misery, she adds and while many Swiss accept their labour market needs foreign workers, they are unhappy about rising house prices or overcrowded schools.

The limits on the eight newer EU member states were first introduced last year.

From 1 June, immigrants from Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic will have the number of long-term residence permits capped at 2,180.

From the same date, long-term residence permits for the 17 older EU states will be capped at 53,700 for 12 months.

Immigration to Switzerland from Bulgaria and Romania - the two newest EU states - is severely restricted.

When Switzerland signed up to freedom of movement rules in 1999, it claimed the right to enact a "safeguard clause" if the annual influx of workers exceeded a certain number.

From mid-2014 the clause becomes invalid, so the quotas can in theory only last for 12 months, but Switzerland is due to hold two referendums aimed at limiting immigration.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said last month the new quotas disregarded "the great benefits that the free movement of persons brings to the citizens of both Switzerland and the EU".

dont you just love Switzerland. wouldnt we love it here in the UK if we was able to do any of the above. just highlights how much power as been taken away from us. and unlike Switerland we are a fully paid up member of the EU. when switerland hold their two referendums on immigration - you can bet they'll vote for whats best for Switerland and will have no trouble telling the EU were to get off.

Edited June 3, 2013 by stevewinn

[keithisco]

dont you just love Switzerland. wouldnt we love it here in the UK if we was able to do any of the above. just highlights how much power as been taken away from us. and unlike Switerland we are a fully paid up member of the EU. when switerland hold their two referendums on immigration - you can bet they'll vote for whats best for Switerland and will have no trouble telling the EU were to get off.

What you are not focussing on Steve is that the Swiss restrictions can ONLY (leagally) be in place for 12 months. After that time then they HAVE to allow full access if they want to retain their trading privileges with the EU.

Both Switzerland and to a greater extent, Norway, pay into the EU but have absolutely no say whatever in the EU Legislative process, or input to the laws that they are required to enact nationally.

What will be interesting is what happens after the referenda in Switzerland... the EU may well rescind the Trading agreements (as seems likely) and expel tem from the EEA.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

ohh marvelous - Australia's just crawled into bed with the EU as well.