This article addresses one of the most debated aspects of immigration namely the question – does welcoming migrants and refugees affect positively or negatively the national dynamics of employment? It offers a policy analysis of the effects of migration and labour market conditions and policies in host countries and discusses opportunities for migrants to enter a host countries’ labour markets. The reasons for high migration are known and linked to violence, persecution, human rights violations and persistently high level of poverty in many parts of the world reaching very high levels over the last three years and resulting in millions of refugees and migrants crossing international borders with thousands of lives lost during the dangerous passing of borders and seas. On the other hand, in many European countries, a growing number of economic sectors are being affected by the potential threat of a shortage of semi-and low skilled workers. Taking Switzerland as an example, fewer young people attend professional schools thereby reducing the potential supply of a semi-skilled work force. The future short fall of semi-skilled and low-skilled work force will further increase due to the ageing of the Swiss population which in turn will impact the demand for semi-skilled and low skilled workers. Refugees and migrants could potentially find jobs in segments of the Swiss labour market thereby providing mutually beneficial solutions for all parties concerned that is a) for refugees and migrants seeking employment and asylum, b) for the aging population of host countries requiring care delivered by a low and semi-skilled work force and c) for public and private sector enterprises finding labour for economic sectors in need of qualified and motivated labour force.

Following the economic crisis and the suppression of many jobs worldwide, it is difficult to address the issue of labour shortage. In Switzerland, the lack of workers was very evident before the crisis and will continue to be problematic for the country’s social welfare system for decades to come. Indeed, each economic sector will be affected by the potential threat of a shortage of workers. To fill this gap, Swiss organizations are primarily hiring workers from the European Union (EU). Due to the shrinking size of the Swiss population, less people will attend professional schools in the future and the ageing of the population will impact the demand for semi-skilled workers and the whole economy. 

Le système qui régit l’entrée des travailleurs étrangers en Suisse répond de manière insuffisante voire inappropriée à la demande de main d’œuvre dans de nombreux secteurs. Avec le problème imminent du vieillissement de la population, des solutions efficaces doivent permettre à la Suisse de maintenir sa main d’œuvre à flot. Le recours à des travailleurs de pays tiers devient dès lors l’une des seules solutions efficaces pour éviter un lent démantèlement de l’économie suisse. Cet article révèle les dysfonctionnements de la politique économique d’immigration suisse et ébauche pour les politiques publiques un système de migration circulaire fiable pour les travailleurs semi-qualifiés qui, dans un esprit de bénéfice mutuel, contribuerait substantiellement à la bonne santé du marché du travail en Suisse, tout en offrant un appui crucial au développement du pays d’origine des travailleurs et à l’épanouissement des travailleurs eux-mêmes.