Why are some foreign workers in Switzerland endangered by unemployment?

The majority of people from EU orEFTA countries working in Switzerland have no reason to worry about their employment, their risk of losing their jobs is equal to their Swiss counterparts. However, there are exceptions.

The unemployment rate in Switzerland is less than 2% and is lower than in many other countries.

This means that the labour market is solid and stable, and most employees -- whether Swiss or foreign citizens -- should not worry about losing jobs, writes The Local.

The latest report by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) noted that “due to sustainable labour demand and a historically low unemployment rate, Switzerland remains attractive to foreign workers”.

However, the same report also stresses that some EU citizens “are exposed to a risk higher than the average unemployment”.

The SECO continues by specifying that the most affected workers are from Southern and Eastern Europe, compared to those from the eurozone states, sends albinfo.ch.

The reason, according to the SECO, is that many workers from these countries -- for example, Bulgaria, Romania and the Balkan countries -- “take unstable jobs, including seasonal work”, such as agriculture.

More of these foreigners appear in unemployment statistics not only because of the temporary nature of their work but also because neither Swiss workers nor eurozone workers usually carry the most predisposed types of jobs.

What happens when these employees lose their jobs?

All who work legally in Switzerland have the same right to collect the benefits of unemployment regardless of nationality.

The general rule is that anyone who has contributed to the social security scheme has the right to benefit from paying unemployment.

However, not all will receive the same amount at the same time.

If you have a C residence permit or a B residence permit, you will receive unemployment benefits as long as you have been employed in Switzerland for at least 12 months in the last two years and have lived fully in the country. during that period.

As long as the benefits are paid depends on your circumstances.

If you've worked and paid for the social security system for 12 months in the last two years, you have the right to pay unemployment for 260 days, writes The Local.

If you are under 25 and childless, you will receive compensation in 200 days.

If you've been employed for at least 18 months, you'll cash in 400 days.

Older or disabled workers may collect for 120 extra days, convey albinfo.ch.