2014-2018

Switzerland

Migrants to Switzerland are better educated than ever before. Yet, while many highly qualified migrants hold highly regarded positions others are still unable to use their skills. Our goal is to understand the implications of uneven access to resources, opportunities and social participation for different groups of highly qualified migrants. We observe that migrants who come as spouses, students, and refugees face specific challenges despite being highly qualified. We suggest some solutions aimed at enabling all migrants to participate more fully in the economic and social life of the country where they live.

Our research shows that the potential for some migrants to fully participate in the economic and social life of Switzerland is lost due to restrictive policies and insufficient support. We claim that this situation arises from a myopic focus on migrants who are defined as immediately useful by the economic sector. We call for a stronger engagement of public institutions and civil society to make Switzerland a more inclusive place where everybody can participate to the full extent of their abilities. Allowing for public spaces where migrants can make their voice heard is important, also because several issues that highly qualified migrants face in Switzerland reflect broader problems of the Swiss society (e.g. prescribed gender roles, the associated lack of support infrastructure for working parents and the increasing focus of employers on flexible work). Responding to these problems could bring solutions for all.