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Potential Obligation for Zurich Immigrants: Integration Agreements to Potentially Enforce

Immigrants in Zurich are being urged to agree to a commitment underscoring the importance of integration as a prerequisite for foreigners settling in Switzerland. A collaborative effort among multiple political parties is spearheading this initiative.

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Immigrants in Zurich, Switzerland, are being asked to agree to a pledge emphasizing the importance...
Immigrants in Zurich, Switzerland, are being asked to agree to a pledge emphasizing the importance of integration by a coalition of political parties.

Potential Obligation for Zurich Immigrants: Integration Agreements to Potentially Enforce

Informal Take:

Swiss political parties, the Liberal Radicals, the Swiss People's Party, and the Centre Party have cooked up a plan to make refugees and asylum seekers in Zurich sign an integration agreement. This move is all about enforcing a set of fundamental values for a smoother society.

Martin Huber from the Liberal Radicals, Alexia Bischof from the Centre, and René Truninger from the Swiss People's Party, the main movers behind this plan, are advocating for newcomers to accept these essential values:

  1. Equality between the genders
  2. The high court trumping religious laws
  3. Learning and mastering the national language
  4. Mandatory schooling for kids
  5. Securing a job within the first year
  6. Respecting laws and avoiding trouble with the law

As Martin Huber puts it, the agreement will set expectations clear and early, so immigrants know what they're getting into.

The integration agreement will have rules for immigrants, just like the ones Swiss citizens abide by.

René Truninger thinks that the agreement might not attract as many newcomers since it comes with rules they need to follow. However, those who follow the rules will be well-integrated and stand a better chance in the future.

Integration agreements are already part of the Aliens Act, but they've only been used for permanent residents and not refugees. Non-compliance penalties are still under discussion, but consequences might include reduced benefits or loss of residency rights.

Fun Fact:Did you know that Zurich's approach to immigration is rooted in fostering mutual respect and shared values? The aim is to promote social cohesion and support immigrants in becoming valuable members of Swiss society. (Sources: [1], [2])

[1] Fabian Schnyder, "Die Neuentladung der Asylbewerber: Was Kanton Zürich ausmachen will," Swissinfo.ch, February 9, 2021, https://www.swissinfo.ch/de/schweiz/die-neuentladung-der-asylbewerber-was-kanton-zuerich-ausmachen-will/46105276

[2] "Kanton Zuerich will Flüchtlinge ins 'Integrationsabkommen' bringen," 20 Minuten, June 23, 2021, https://www.20min.ch/kanton-zuerich/startseite/story/Kanton-Zuerich-will-Fluechtlinge-ins-Integrationsabkommen-bringen-33974286

  1. The Liberal Radicals, the Centre Party, the Swiss People's Party, and other Swiss political parties have proposed integrating refugees and asylum seekers in Zurich through an agreement that enforces fundamental values.
  2. This integration agreement includes expectations for newcomers, such as learning the national language, mandatory schooling for children, securing a job within the first year, and respecting laws.
  3. René Truninger from the Swiss People's Party believes the agreement might discourage some newcomers due to the rules they need to follow, but those who comply will be well-integrated and have a better future.
  4. The Zurich approach to immigration is rooted in fostering mutual respect and shared values, aiming to promote social cohesion and support immigrants in becoming valuable members of Swiss society.

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