Migros: 'Immigration is vital for Ticino'

Mario Irminger, CEO of Migros, opposes the UDC initiative against immigration, emphasizing its importance for retail in Ticino.

Contesto

In brief - Migros relies on immigration for retail - 60% of Micarna are foreigners, 90% in processing departments - 1,000 vacancies in Ticino ## Key facts - What: Need for immigration in retail - When: Interview with 'Schweiz am Wochenende' - Where: Switzerland, with a focus on Ticino - Who: Mario Irminger, CEO of Migros - Amount: 60% foreigners in Micarna, 90% in processing departments Mario Irminger, CEO of Migros, expressed his opposition to the SVP initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million!' in an interview with 'Schweiz am Wochenende'. According to Irminger, immigration is crucial for retail and the food industry. 'We need a certain level of immigration, even just to maintain the current level of performance in retail,' he stated. The company currently has around 1,000 vacant positions, mainly in bakeries and the meat and dairy processing sectors. ### Dependence on immigration Currently, around 60% of Micarna, the Migros Industrie company specializing in meat production, are foreign citizens. In the processing departments, the percentage rises to 90%. 'We already depend on them today, and this will also be the case to fill the gaps that will arise in the future,' Irminger added. Without immigration, there is a risk that service and offerings will decrease, with shorter opening hours, fewer branches, or a more limited selection. ### Challenges and prospects Irminger acknowledges that immigration also brings certain challenges, but a maximum ceiling on the population, as requested by the SVP initiative, would create new problems. In the coming years, many employees will retire, further increasing the need for personnel. 'In the coming years, many employees will retire, further increasing the need for personnel,' he added, recognizing that immigration in Switz...

Dettagli operativi

Impact on the Ticino Economy Immigration is a fundamental pillar for the economy of the Canton of Ticino, especially in the retail and food industry sectors. Migros' dependence on foreign workers highlights how essential immigration is to maintaining competitiveness and the quality of services offered. Without an adequate flow of foreign labor, the sector could face serious challenges, including reduced opening hours, branch closures, and a more limited product selection. ### Comparison with Other Swiss Regions Unlike other Swiss regions, Ticino has a relatively young population and a strong presence of foreign workers. This is partly due to its proximity to Italy, which facilitates the immigration of Italian workers. However, other Swiss regions also depend on immigration to maintain their workforce, especially in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and healthcare. ### Challenges and Opportunities Immigration brings both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, the influx of foreign workers can put considerable strain on infrastructure and public services, especially in urban areas. On the other hand, immigration can bring new skills and talents, contributing to economic growth and innovation. It is important that Swiss authorities find a balance between the need to attract foreign workers and the need to protect public services and infrastructure. ### Detailed Analysis To better understand the impact of immigration on the Ticino economy, it is useful to examine the most recent data. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2025, approximately 25% of the Ticino population was composed of foreigners. This number is constantly increasing, mainly due to the immigration of Italian workers. However, immigration is not the only factor influencing the Ticin...

Punti chiave

Procedure for cross-border workers For cross-border workers who wish to work in Switzerland, it is important to follow a series of steps to ensure that their stay and employment are regular. Here is a step-by-step guide: 1. Obtain a work permit: Cross-border workers must obtain a work permit from the Canton where they intend to work. This permit is generally valid for a limited period and must be renewed periodically. 2. Register with local authorities: Once they have obtained the work permit, cross-border workers must register with the local authorities of the municipality where they reside. This step is necessary to obtain an official address and to access public services. 3. Open a bank account: Cross-border workers must open a Swiss bank account to manage their finances. This account will be used to receive their salary and to pay bills and other expenses. 4. Health insurance: Cross-border workers must take out Swiss health insurance. This insurance is mandatory and covers medical and hospital expenses. 5. Taxes and contributions: Cross-border workers must pay taxes and social security contributions in Switzerland. This includes withholding tax, AVS and LPP contributions, and other mandatory contributions. 6. Renewal of the work permit: Cross-border workers must renew their work permit periodically. This step is necessary to ensure that their stay and employment in Switzerland are regular. ### Useful tools For cross-border workers who wish to work in Switzerland, there are several useful tools available. Here are some of the most important ones: - Net salary calculator: This tool allows you to calculate the net salary after taxes and social security contributions. It is useful for planning your finances and for comparing job offers. - Health insurance comparator:...

Punti chiave

{"q":"What is the impact of immigration on the Swiss labor market?","a":"Immigration is crucial for the Swiss labor market, especially in sectors such as retail and the food industry. Without an adequate flow of foreign labor, the sector could face serious challenges, including reduced opening hours, branch closures, and a more limited product selection."},{"q":"What are the steps to obtain a work permit in Switzerland?","a":"To obtain a work permit in Switzerland, cross-border workers must follow a series of steps, including obtaining a work permit from the Canton where they intend to work, registering with the local authorities of the municipality where they reside, opening a Swiss bank account, taking out Swiss health insurance, paying taxes and social security contributions, and renewing the work permit periodically."},{"q":"What are the useful tools for cross-border workers who want to work in Switzerland?","a":"Useful tools for cross-border workers who want to work in Switzerland include the net salary calculator, the health insurance comparator, and the guide for cross-border workers. These tools are available on the [Frontaliere Ticino website."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the impact of immigration on the Swiss labor market?
Immigration is crucial for the Swiss labor market, especially in sectors such as retail and the food industry. Without an adequate flow of foreign labor, the sector could face serious challenges, including reduced opening hours, branch closures, and a more limited product selection.
What are the steps to obtain a work permit in Switzerland?
To obtain a work permit in Switzerland, cross-border workers must follow a series of steps, including obtaining a work permit from the Canton where they intend to work, registering with the local authorities of the municipality where they reside, opening a Swiss bank account, taking out Swiss health insurance, paying taxes and social security contributions, and renewing the work permit periodically.
What are the useful tools for cross-border workers who want to work in Switzerland?
Useful tools for cross-border workers who want to work in Switzerland include the net salary calculator, the health insurance comparator, and the guide for cross-border workers. These tools are available on the [Frontaliere Ticino](https://www.frontaliere.ch) website.

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