Unemployment for cross-border workers: Switzerland…
Switzerland rejects the EU's proposal to pay unemployment benefits to cross-border workers, with costs up to one billion francs per year.
Contesto
In brief - Switzerland will not pay unemployment benefits to cross-border workers - Estimated costs between hundreds of millions and one billion francs - Ticino should strengthen employment offices ## Key facts - What: Payment of unemployment benefits to cross-border workers - When: 2026 (EU agreement not yet ratified) - Where: Switzerland, particularly Canton Ticino - Who: Swiss Federal Council, EU, Lega dei Ticinesi - Amount: Between hundreds of millions and one billion francs per year Switzerland does not intend to pay unemployment benefits to cross-border workers, despite an internal EU agreement that would introduce this change. The news, anticipated by Aargauer Zeitung, has sparked immediate reactions in Ticino, where the Lega dei Ticinesi has presented a motion to block this possibility. National Councilor Lorenzo Quadri reiterated the Lega's position, asking the Federal Council to clarify to the EU that Switzerland does not intend to comply with this new rule. The change in rules, if approved, would heavily impact Switzerland, which employs approximately 412,000 cross-border workers with a G permit. According to the SECO, cited by Aargauer Zeitung, the cost for Swiss unemployment insurance could range from several hundred million francs to one billion per year. Furthermore, cantons with a high number of cross-border workers, such as Ticino, would need to strengthen the regional employment offices to manage a potential increase in unemployment claims. ### Implications for cross-border workers The change, if implemented, would have a significant impact on cross-border workers who work in Switzerland but reside in Italy. Currently, unemployment benefits are paid by the state of residence, with a contribution from the country where the cross-border worker carri...
Dettagli operativi
Analysis of Practical Implications The proposal to have Switzerland pay unemployment benefits for cross-border workers raises several practical issues. First, Switzerland has always maintained a clear position: unemployment benefits are the competence of the country of residence, not the country of work. This principle has been reiterated several times by the Federal Council, which has stated that any change would require an amendment to Annex II of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, with the consent of Switzerland. ### Comparison with the Current Situation Currently, cross-border workers who lose their jobs receive unemployment benefits from the country of residence, with a contribution from the country where they worked. This system was established to ensure that costs are fairly distributed between the two countries. The new rule, however, would shift the burden entirely onto Switzerland, which would have to manage a significant increase in spending on unemployment insurance. ### Possible Scenarios If the EU agreement were ratified and Switzerland decided to comply, cantons with a high number of cross-border workers, such as Ticino, would face several challenges. The regional employment offices would need to be strengthened to handle a potential increase in unemployment claims. This could involve hiring new staff and allocating additional resources, at the expense of local unemployed people. Furthermore, the situation would contrast with the 'light indigenous preference', a policy aimed at promoting local employment. ### Economic Impact The economic impact of this change would be significant. According to the SECO, spending on unemployment insurance could range from several hundred million francs to one billion per year. This additional cost could...
Punti chiave
What to do if you're a cross-border worker If you're a cross-border worker employed in Switzerland and residing in Italy, it's important to monitor the developments of this situation. Currently, there are no immediate changes, but it's possible that the situation may evolve in the coming months. If the EU agreement is ratified and Switzerland decides to comply, cross-border workers may have to face new procedures to obtain unemployment benefits. ### Current procedure Currently, cross-border workers who lose their jobs must contact INPS in Italy to apply for unemployment benefits. The procedure involves submitting a series of documents, including the unemployment certificate issued by the Swiss employer. It's important to keep all documents related to the employment relationship, including contracts and pay slips. ### Useful tools To stay updated on the latest news and to get support in managing unemployment procedures, you can use the unemployment calculator available on the site. This tool allows you to estimate the amount of unemployment benefits and to better understand the procedures to follow. ### Conclusions The current situation is evolving and may change in the coming months. It's important to stay informed and monitor developments to be prepared for any changes. If you have questions or need support, don't hesitate to contact the competent offices or use the tools available on the site. Source: comozero.it
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Who will pay unemployment benefits to cross-border workers in the future?","a":"Currently, unemployment benefits are paid by the state of residence, with a contribution from the country where the cross-border worker has worked. The new rule proposed by the EU would require the state of employment, i.e., Switzerland, to pay the benefits. However, Switzerland has stated that it does not intend to comply with this new rule."},{"q":"What are the estimated costs for Switzerland?","a":"According to the SECO, the cost of Swiss unemployment insurance could range from several hundred million francs to one billion francs per year. This additional cost could impact the federal budget and the cantons."},{"q":"What changes for cross-border workers?","a":"If the new rule is implemented, cross-border workers would have to contact Swiss employment offices to receive unemployment benefits. However, there are currently no immediate changes, and the situation is evolving."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who will pay unemployment benefits to cross-border workers in the future?
- Currently, unemployment benefits are paid by the state of residence, with a contribution from the country where the cross-border worker has worked. The new rule proposed by the EU would require the state of employment, i.e., Switzerland, to pay the benefits. However, Switzerland has stated that it does not intend to comply with this new rule.
- What are the estimated costs for Switzerland?
- According to the SECO, the cost of Swiss unemployment insurance could range from several hundred million francs to one billion francs per year. This additional cost could impact the federal budget and the cantons.
- What changes for cross-border workers?
- If the new rule is implemented, cross-border workers would have to contact Swiss employment offices to receive unemployment benefits. However, there are currently no immediate changes, and the situation is evolving.