Swiss vote to set limits on immigration from EU

reuters.com ^ | Feb 9, 2014 | Alice Baghdjian and Albert Schmieder

[kabar]

Between the first quarter of 2000 and the first quarter of 2013, the native-born population accounted for two-thirds of overall growth in the working-age population (16 to 65), but none of the net growth in employment among the working-age has gone to natives.

The overall size of the working-age native-born population increased by 16.4 million from 2000 to 2013, yet the number of natives actually holding a job was 1.3 million lower in 2013 than 2000.

The total number of working-age immigrants (legal and illegal) increased 8.8 million and the number working rose 5.3 million between 2000 and 2013.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

Was this only on EU immigrants?

That is probably why it was so close and not a landslide.

[Toughluck_freeper]

I read that when the original agreements with the EU were signed, the EU estimated a immigrant rate of 8,000/year. It turned out more like 88,000/year or ten times more.

So when the EU acts all huffy about Switzerland breaking its agreements or that trying to modify a small part is not possible and the agreement stands as a whole...

Switzerland should simply give a bill to the EU for the extra costs of 80,000/year immigration over 8 years in terms of public services. I would love to see that.