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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Federal Council has decided to extend current restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers for another year under a clause in the EU-Swiss Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons that allows Switzerland to impose quotas if immigration from the countries exceeds 10 percent of the average over the previous three years.
What does the change mean? The restrictions mean that quotas on B permits will remain in effect until May 31, 2019. Additionally, if the threshold is reached by that date, a quota on L permits will be reintroduced.
Background: Bulgaria and Romania acquired full free movement rights and open access to the labor market in Switzerland on June 1, 2016. However, under a safeguard clause (“ventilklausel”), Switzerland can impose quotas according to thresholds described above. Quotas on B permits under the clause have been applied since June 1, 2017. The maximum period that it can be applied is until May 31, 2019, at which time Bulgarian and Romanian workers will have full access to the Swiss labor market.
BAL Analysis: Employers recruiting Bulgarian and Romanian nationals should anticipate limitations on the number of B permits and possibly L permits. Additionally, beginning in July under a “national priority light” (“inländervorrang”) policy, employers will be required to report all job vacancies to labor authorities if the unemployment rate in the occupational category exceeds 8 percent as of July 1, 2018 (reduced to 5 percent as of Jan. 1, 2020). The Federal Council will publish the relevant employment rates.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Switzerland. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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