Complete rubbish, they should not have quotas at all, but filter better who gets in. A non-EU friend of mine just got her application rejected. High educated, six digit work contract in hand and in a profession that is actually needed here locally. She is definitely not dumping salaries compared to locals, but the company is willing to pay to make her move here due to the high demand and low offer of her profession.

Limiting the influx of foreign specialists will only drive prices for some specialists sky high - who is already in wins. This will in some areas be a competitive disadvantage for Switzerland compared to countries that deal with immigration in a smarter way.

The trick is not to keep people out randomly (or based on the date they filed an application and weather or not there is still place in the quota), but to let the good ones in that support your economy.