It is well known. In Switzerland, we prefer quality to quantity. It is on the basis of this old adage that a columnist recently proposed in the columns of time to “manage immigration by prices”. Concretely, it would be a question of fixing a kind of entry ticket to pay for each person wishing to come to work in Switzerland in order to “make immigration more qualitative, because it would be limited to the trades with high added value”. Of course, the author is careful not to say what he understands by “profession with high added value”. We spontaneously think of researchers and other high -flying scientists, who are coveted both by prestigious institutions and large companies or even states. Or at senior international executives. One can easily imagine that an entrance tax would not be an obstacle, in view of the amounts anyway invested to attract them.
What definition?
The catch is that it is not these few very sharp profiles that increase the population of Switzerland. It is first the Swiss themselves, who always live longer. But also the Portuguese mason, which builds and cleanses our homes. Just as the Spanish caregiver, who takes care of our elders at EMS. The French nurseryman, who takes care of our children at the crèche. Or the Italian server or the Polish plumber, the myth of which has never been realized, as can testify to all those who have long waited for a health repair.
The question of which of these people would be considered as occupying a “profession with high added value” remains whole. If the criteria are measured at the level of training, by requiring for example a university level, many of them would be disqualified. What if the criteria relate to expected financial benefits, what happens to the nurse or the foreign doctor? Generally very well trained, the latter do not “report” money. Their added value is societal, and therefore in essence difficult to encrypt. But it is immense.
-Who pays?
Also asks the question of which would pay. Do restaurateurs, who are already struggling to turn? The employees themselves, who would see their purchasing power decrease? Companies, already abused by current economic turbulence? The consumer, on whom would we repercuss this price increase? Or the state, whose boxes are already in the red?
Demographic growth undoubtedly poses challenges. But the aging of the population too. Just like the needs that will still increase in areas that are already struggling to recruit, such as health and care. Just as the lack of succession to compensate for the massive retirement of the Baby-Boomers in the coming years. So many questions that also leaves the proposal of an “entrance tax” for workers in our country.
This article appeared on April 17, 2025 in time.
