Over 65,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Switzerland since February 2022, with the majority being women with children. They have been granted the S status, which was intended to facilitate a rapid and unburdened integration into the country. However, the expected swift integration into the labor market has not materialized. The numbers speak for themselves: the employment rate of Ukrainians in Switzerland was expected to be around 40 percent by the end of 2024, but this goal has been clearly missed.
In reality, the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland is significantly lower than anticipated. The main reasons for this are the high demands on qualifications, the complex recognition procedures for foreign diplomas and significant language barriers. Even well-qualified refugees, such as engineers or teachers, are facing significant challenges in finding employment in their field. Many of them are therefore working in sectors like the hospitality industry or agriculture, often below their qualifications.
This situation is increasingly sparking political discussions. While some groups criticize Switzerland for its lack of flexibility in recognizing foreign qualifications, others point to the responsibility of the refugees themselves in actively integrating into the society and labor market.
Without sufficient language skills, many doors remain closed, particularly in a highly regulated labor market like Switzerland’s.
Additionally, the S status was originally intended as a short-term emergency solution. However, it is now becoming clear that many of the Ukrainians will stay longer than initially assumed, which raises the question of whether the existing integration programs are sufficient and whether Switzerland is willing to adapt its restrictive labor market regulations to the reality of a new migration wave.
The low employment rate of Ukrainian refugees will not only put additional pressure on the social welfare system but also test the societal acceptance of the country’s generous refugee acceptance policies.