While European Union is dealing with the severst test in its history, this week Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum to place new limits on foreigners living and working in Switzerland. In other words, Switzerland, which is not a part of the European Union, will not have to renegotiate agreements with the EU. Hitherto there have been few restrictions on foreign nationals moving into the country to live. In this perspective, foreign workers from the EU have been allowed to freely commute from France and Italy.
It's easy to see Switzerland's contribution to South European nations whose economies are already weakened. In addition, those countries are dealing with people fleeing from persecution and civil war. On one hand, EU directives specify that the country in which refugees arrive is the country in which the asylum procedures should be initiated and completed (for the most part Italy, Spain and France). On the other hand, Switzerland holds a referendum on whether to impose quotas on the number of immigrants it will accept from European Union countries. With regards to Switzerland's constitutional change above mentioned, I think that the deeper question is how much solidarity can and should be achieved in Europe.
Do you think that European countries should help each other overcome their economic and financial issues? In my opinion European countries need to seriously sit down and discuss these issues.
I think Australia's economic issues are not as bad as Europe's. We managed to avoid most of the economic crisis that you've felt over there. Subsequently our unemployment levels are not quite so bad. But recently we had a change in government and already things seem to be getting worse. There have been a number of companies that have shut their doors and others (like my son's) who've restructured and workers have lost their jobs.
ReplyDeleteWhen financial times are tough there always seems to be bad feelings towards migrants. I understand it - there are only just so many jobs to go around. I don't know how the problem can be solved and neither do most politicians.
Useful information about unemployment in your country. Thanks for that Char! Unfortunately, migrants continue to see the so called developed countries as an haven of freedom and prosperity. But it isn't always the case.
DeleteThis is difficult. It's not just South Europe, most European countries suffer from the economic crisis (except Germany if I'm correct). More and more people lose their job here too. So far my husband and I have been lucky and still have our jobs.
ReplyDeleteAt this moment I would say that my country has to get on it's feet itself first before helping other countries. Every country should do that. One thing that could help is if products/services are bought in European countries instead of Asian countries where it's much cheaper.
A colleague of mine is emigrating to the USA in August. His wife is a professor who got a job at a university in Pennsylvania. For him it's more difficult to find a job there. Rules in the USA are apparently that if you apply for a job and the company wants to hire a foreigner they have to prove first that there isn't an American citizen that's suitable for the job. With the economic crisis in mind, I don't think that's a bad idea right now to do this in Holland too.
Thanks for giving such an interesting comment!
DeleteI've heard of people who are losing their job in Ireland, Spain and other European peripheral countries (also Italy) but not of the Netherlands. I'm astonished! At the moment Germany and Finland aren't suffering from the economic crisis in Europe.
Completely agree with you about American rules in the job field. You really shared a good point, Fran. We would need those directives in E.U. too. If an European company were to hire a skilled worker from outside European economic area, they would have to demontrate that European people aren't available for that job. We would need those directives in E.U. too.
Thanks again!
Giorgio
This is a big issue in Belgium as the system is flooded with immigrants and is unable to handle them all, meaning many people slip into illegality and live on the margins of society. I definitely thing immigration should be coordinated on EU level, and the countries who are getting hit hard because of their location or attractiveness to immigrants, should be supported by other countries.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Amy! Unfortunately, Italy and Spain are located near to North Africa coast. Consequently, Italy is a country in which foreign-born residents are more than 7 per cent of the population!
DeleteEU countries would have to seek a new approach related to the need to deal with their social and economic weaknesses. I know that it is easier to say than to do.
Germany is always helping out other European countries. I think those countries who are constantly having financial issues need to find ways to improve their economies without depending so much on the other countries for financial assistance. I understand that asylum seekers are an initial drain on southern countries but you can't blame them for the fiscal irresponsibility that has been happening. Italy is a great brand loved by many countries. There is no reason Italy can't harness that for more than just tourism.
ReplyDeleteOf course, illegal immigration and crimes perpetrated by foregneirs are not related directly to the fiscal responsibility. Nevertheless, it's an additional problem to deal with and it's easy to see its high cost in terms of national budget.
DeleteAt the moment, source of finance is short for all public services, given the pressure of Italy's huge public debt and the lack of help from its slow rate of growth. Actually, making Italy (and other South European countries) more responsible for raising their own taxes and for keeping their own spending efficient would be a good remedy. I know that it is easier to say than to do.
Thanks for sharing your point of view, Emmy!