The so-called limitation initiative constitutes a “threat to the economy and to jobs”. Particularly concerned by their manpower needs and their high density in universities, the governments of Western Switzerland called on Monday to reject this text during the votes of September 27.
With the bilateral agreements, Western Switzerland has benefited greatly for more than twenty years from easier access to the internal market of the European Union (EU). More than half of the orders for services and goods sent to its companies are now made by EU countries, recalls in a press release the Conference of Governments of Western Switzerland, meeting in Yverdon-les-Bains.
This privileged relationship, which has contributed to the economic prosperity of Switzerland and western Switzerland in particular, would be clearly threatened if the so-called limitation initiative were accepted. By aiming to abolish the free movement of persons agreement, it would bring down favorably negotiated market access agreements.
Like the Federal Council, the Conference of Cantonal Governments as well as employers’ and trade union organizations, the governments of Western Switzerland, bringing together the cantons of Vaud, Jura, Bern, Neuchâtel, Friborg and Valais, are therefore firmly opposed to the popular initiative “For moderate immigration”, their representatives indicated. / ATS
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