What does the federal government do?

With a wide variety of measures, the federal government tries to bring refugees from Ukraine into the labor market. As one of the largest employers, he could be a role model himself – but it is not.

45 percent of Ukrainians who fled to Switzerland should have a job by the end of December. The Federal Council announced this goal at the beginning of the year.

It is unlikely that you can achieve it. Currently, of the 70,000 people with protection status s, just almost every third has a job. The Federal Council missed the goal of 40 percent, which was aimed at at the end of 2024.

« The state is also required »

Above all, it is the private sector that is required. Adrian Gerber, the federal commissioner for the labor market integration of those seeking protection, is at cleaning at companies to convince them of the employment of Ukrainians. But the federal government – as one of the largest employers in the country – would also have a lever in hand. From A for Automech to Z for Zollfachmann: Almost 45,000 people in various professional genuses are employed by the federal administration.

« The state is also required as an employer, » says Gerber when asked. According to the Federal Personnel Office, only six people with protection status s are currently employed by the federal government – including two learners. The office does not say in which jobs they work in concrete terms.

In the individual administrative units there are “efforts to recruit the recruits” of people with S-status, says Adrian Gerber. There is no concrete target, but there is no internal job exchange or the like.

Apprentices from Ukraine

A major hurdle for many job seekers – also for Swiss – are the linguistic requirements that apply to many jobs in the federal administration. It is not uncommon for you to speak at least two national languages. There are also specific professional skills depending on the area.

As a result, training relationships are more common than employment, says Gerber. In summer, three other refugees from Ukraine are to start their apprenticeship in the federal administration. One person will also begin an integration pre -apprenticeship that lasts a year and is supposed to prepare for an apprenticeship. Last year someone with protection status has already completed such a priority at the federal government.

SP national councilor Nina Schläfli would welcome increased efforts by the federal government to make Ukrainians. « It is desirable that the federal government is going as a good role model, » says the Thurgau woman. There are many jobs for highly qualified ones at the federal government – but « there are also a lot of highly qualified among the refugees, » she says.

Federation wants to loosen rules and put on reins

However, Schläfli also thinks that the federal government is trying to bring those seeking protection into the labor market. For example, refugees should be able to change the canton much easier if this is necessary for the job. But this change comes into force at the earliest at the end of 2026.

The federal government is also to check whether cantons should be financially punished, which do not make forward in terms of labor market integration of Ukrainians as required. But also towards the Ukrainians, the government wants to put on the reins and in future oblige them to participate in measures for reintegration or reintegration into the labor market.

This welcomes Pascal Schmid, SVP National Councilor and asylum chief of the party. He is of the opinion: « It would be time to not only set goals on the part of the federal government and to organize round tables, but to finally make clear demands towards work capable but not working and to consider sanctions, from social welfare to status deprivation. »

In his view, there is already enough government agents – « We don’t need Ukrainians for that ». The private sector, on the other hand, can benefit from the refugees in view of the shortage of skilled workers, says Schmid. « However, the status S must remain return -oriented. »