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EDITORIAL

Should I stay or should I go?

On 6 June, the Swiss Federal Office for Migration published the latest statistics on the foreign communities in Switzerland. This statistic shows two interesting values: First, the Portuguese in Switzerland remain the third largest group of foreigners, with 216,809 people registered, behind the Italians with 289,211 and the Germans with 268,181 people. The fourth group, the Serbs, follow with a long distance with 109,207 registered. In addition to official figures, it is estimated that some more tens of thousands of not registered Portuguese live in Switzerland.

More remarkable but given the current economical crisis not completely surprising, however, seems the second value.
The Portuguese are the third largest group in terms of growth between 1 May 2010 and April 30, 2011: 8467 new Portuguese immigrants were registered. Unlike the first wave of emigration to Switzerland, which began about three decades ago, nowadays a big part of them are young people with a University degree. Six out of 10 have less than 35 years, and one in three has graduated.

Construction, catering, hospitality and other basic services continue to ensure work for those who are not proficient in one of the Swiss languages. For those who can speak one language - at least at basic level - other job opportunities can be envisaged, for example in the care of the elderly population.
The proficiency of the language is the linchpin to a successful migration, regardless of whether or not to have a degree, a fact that is often overlooked by people who contact the CCISP with the intention to emigrate.

Either way, these figures show that the relationship between the two countries will have an increasing importance not only in matters of personal relationships, but also in economical terms, because according to the latest estimates the first wave of immigrants led to more than 2,200 Swiss companies incorporated by Portuguese citizens.

Gregor Zemp
General Secretary