Swiss borders open more for European workers
Sunday, 3 June 2007
GENEVA, June 2 (Xinhua): Switzerland yesterday further opened its border to workers from other European countries by dropping quotas that it had maintained for decades to limit the number of people allowed to enter the country's labour market.
Thanks to the new measure, workers from the 15 original members of the European Union and the two new small EU members Malta and Cyprus now have unlimited access to the Swiss labour market, Swiss Radio International (SRI) reported.
Other beneficiaries include non-EU countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, which together with Switzerland form the European Free Trade Association (Efta).
The lifting of border restrictions is the second phase of an agreement signed between Switzerland and the EU five years ago that aims to realise free movement of people.
Thanks to the new measure, workers from the 15 original members of the European Union and the two new small EU members Malta and Cyprus now have unlimited access to the Swiss labour market, Swiss Radio International (SRI) reported.
Other beneficiaries include non-EU countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, which together with Switzerland form the European Free Trade Association (Efta).
The lifting of border restrictions is the second phase of an agreement signed between Switzerland and the EU five years ago that aims to realise free movement of people.