Chiasso seeks solutions to hire more residents: what changes for cross-border workers and businesses
Chiasso councillor Francesco Romano has asked the Municipal Council to identify concrete tools that can encourage companies to prioritise hiring Ticinese residents over cross-border workers.
Contesto
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Chiasso municipal councillor Francesco Romano of HelvEthica Ticino submitted a formal question to the Chiasso Municipal Council urging the search for tools to encourage the hiring of local residents by local businesses. According to Romano, a higher proportion of residents among workers in companies operating in the municipality could strengthen the tax revenue from individuals domiciled in Chiasso while also reinforcing the local economic and social fabric. In his request, the councillor highlights that the Municipality lacks selective tax relief tools for individual companies based on the number of resident employees, as this area is heavily regulated by higher-level law. Romano therefore asks the Municipal Council to specify which non-tax measures could be concretely implemented to incentivize businesses to prioritize local residents. Among the proposals put forward are municipal contributions to training, incentives for resident apprentices, measures to support professional integration, and concessions on municipal services or fees. The question also focuses on promoting criteria related to vocational training, apprenticeships, and corporate social responsibility. Finally, Romano asks the Council to identify the main legal, administrative, or financial obstacles currently preventing the Municipality from adopting more effective measures to support local employment. ### The regulatory context: what Chiasso can and cannot do The Chiasso Municipal Council operates within a fairly rigid regulatory framework. As highlighted in the question, federal and cantonal law severely restricts the possibility of using direct fiscal tools to favor local residents. In particular, the Confederation and the Canton do not allow selective tax reductions...
Dettagli operativi
Francesco Romano’s query to the Chiasso municipal council has sparked a debate on how local policies can shape employment dynamics in a border region like the Mendrisiotto. For cross-border workers living in Lombardy and employed in Chiasso, the issue holds particular significance, as any shift in hiring preferences by local businesses could directly impact their job security. ### Scenario 1: What happens if businesses prefer local residents? Currently, no official data quantifies the number of cross-border workers employed in Chiasso compared to Ticinese residents. However, it is well-documented that cross-border commuting is a significant phenomenon in southern Ticino, especially in municipalities along the border with Lombardy. If local businesses were to prioritize hiring residents, cross-border workers could face a disadvantage, particularly in sectors where labor demand is not high. For instance, in retail or hospitality, Ticinese residents might be preferred for permanent positions, while cross-border workers could be hired for part-time or temporary roles. This scenario would reduce demand for cross-border labor, with direct consequences for thousands of Lombard families that rely on Swiss salaries for their livelihood. > ⚠️ A note on terminology: The term G permit refers to the cross-border worker permit issued under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU. ### Scenario 2: Impact on tax revenue and local welfare According to Romano, increased employment of residents in Chiasso would boost tax revenue from individuals domiciled in the municipality. However, this claim requires context. Personal income tax revenue is determined by tax residency, not local employment. A cross-border worker employed in Chiasso but residing...
Punti chiave
The Municipality of Chiasso will now have to respond to the question submitted by Francesco Romano, providing a clear overview of the non-tax tools that could be adopted to incentivize the hiring of local residents. But what concrete actions can cross-border workers and companies take today, while awaiting an official response? ### Step 1: Verify tax residency and hiring requirements First and foremost, it is essential to clarify one’s tax status. Cross-border workers living in Lombardy but working in Chiasso are required to declare their income in Italy, unless specific exemptions apply under the Italo-Swiss Convention of 9 December 1976. However, if a worker is fiscally resident in Ticino, taxes will be withheld in Switzerland. This aspect is crucial, as a change in residency could impact the competitiveness of Ticinese companies in recruiting local workers. For companies, it is important to review the current hiring criteria and check whether any cantonal programs exist to incentivize the hiring of local residents. For example, the Canton of Ticino promotes apprenticeships as a tool to train young residents, offering contributions to companies that participate in these programs. ### Step 2: Explore training and apprenticeship opportunities Even in the absence of definitive responses from the Municipality of Chiasso, companies and residents can already benefit from existing tools. SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Italian Switzerland) and USI (University of Italian Switzerland) offer professional training courses in various sectors, including logistics, services, and commerce. These institutions often collaborate with local companies to develop training paths tailored to market needs. For residents seeking employment, the State Secretariat for Ed...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"What are the legal limits preventing Chiasso from introducing selective tax relief for companies that hire local residents?","a":"The Municipality of Chiasso cannot introduce selective tax relief because the matter is regulated by higher-level laws, both at the federal and cantonal levels. Swiss regulations, in fact, prohibit fiscal discrimination between businesses based on criteria such as the composition of the workforce. This also applies to municipalities, which do not have the autonomy to make independent decisions on this issue."},{"q":"Are there already similar initiatives in Ticino to promote local employment? How do they work?","a":"Yes, there are programs promoted by the Canton of Ticino, such as apprenticeships and training courses offered by SUPSI and USI in collaboration with companies. For example, the DFE promotes initiatives like 'Ticino Lavoro' that provide free consulting services to businesses for recruiting local residents. However, no specific measures for Chiasso are mentioned in the source that would grant direct preferences to residents."},{"q":"If a company in Chiasso decided to hire only Ticino residents, could it do so without violating Swiss law?","a":"No, because Swiss legislation prohibits discrimination based on nationality or residence during hiring. Companies can select candidates based on skills and experience, but they cannot automatically exclude cross-border workers or other foreign employees without an objective justification related to the professional profile."},{"q":"Which sectors in Chiasso are most exposed to potential changes in hiring policies?","a":"The sectors most exposed are likely retail, hospitality, and logistics, where the flexibility of cross-border workers often determines the competitiveness of businesses....
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the legal limits preventing Chiasso from introducing selective tax relief for companies that hire local residents?
- The Municipality of Chiasso cannot introduce selective tax relief because the matter is regulated by higher-level laws, both at the federal and cantonal levels. Swiss regulations, in fact, prohibit fiscal discrimination between businesses based on criteria such as the composition of the workforce. This also applies to municipalities, which do not have the autonomy to make independent decisions on this issue.
- Are there already similar initiatives in Ticino to promote local employment? How do they work?
- Yes, there are programs promoted by the Canton of Ticino, such as apprenticeships and training courses offered by SUPSI and USI in collaboration with companies. For example, the DFE promotes initiatives like 'Ticino Lavoro' that provide free consulting services to businesses for recruiting local residents. However, no specific measures for Chiasso are mentioned in the source that would grant direct preferences to residents.
- If a company in Chiasso decided to hire only Ticino residents, could it do so without violating Swiss law?
- No, because Swiss legislation prohibits discrimination based on nationality or residence during hiring. Companies can select candidates based on skills and experience, but they cannot automatically exclude cross-border workers or other foreign employees without an objective justification related to the professional profile.
- Which sectors in Chiasso are most exposed to potential changes in hiring policies?
- The sectors most exposed are likely retail, hospitality, and logistics, where the flexibility of cross-border workers often determines the competitiveness of businesses. However, the source does not provide specific data on the most affected sectors, making it difficult to precisely assess the potential impact.
- How can I verify my tax residency if I work in Chiasso but live in Italy? What are the consequences for my employment?
- If you live in Italy and work in Chiasso, you are required to declare your income in Italy, unless specific exemptions apply as outlined in the Italo-Swiss Convention of December 9, 1976. However, if you transfer your tax residency to Ticino, taxes will be levied in Switzerland. To verify your situation, you can consult a tax advisor or contact the offices of the Italian Revenue Agency and the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.