The government and cantonal authorities want to introduce new measures to promote the integration of foreigners living in the country.

If parliament approves, the changes to the law would give a greater priority to knowledge of, or learning one of Switzerland’s national languages.

Permits would be granted in future only when the criteria are met.

Employers will also be expected to contribute by aiding the integration process of their non-Swiss staff and their families.

Swissinfo EN

Does this mean that the Englishforum will be outlawed as a nefarious subculture?

I'm sorry I meant to say:

Bedeutet dies, dass die Englishforum als ruchlosen Subkultur wird geächtet werden?

Est-ce à dire que l'Englishforum sera proscrit comme une sous-culture néfaste?

Questo significa che il Englishforum sarà bandito come una sottocultura nefasto?

No the new law is only for non-EU......

There are a lot of non-EU, native English speakers on the English forum.

Does the law specify a level of proficiency that must be demonstrated? and a time frame to reach that level of proficiency for employer-sponsored permitees?
It will be interesting because some employers do not give any time during work hours for employees to attend language training.

Sounds like a good idea to me!

Tom

I want to see you test in Rumantsch.

Why on earth should it be restricted for non EU - blatant discrimination. Either it is required, or not, surely.

Not allowed by the EU bi-lateral agreements!

First things first: This thing is still quite far from becoming a law. It is a project which is in what is called the consultation period where interested parties and organisation get a say, way before it even enters the parliamentary phase.

The project, in its current state, does not specifiy the level of proficieny and even has exemptions for certain situations (medical reaons etc). As to the time frame, an inscription to a language course would be sufficient to get a first-time permit and the participation in a language course would be sufficient for further permits.

The project also has other elements such as more money for more integration measures, more information for foreigners etc.

Last but not least, People who had to wait 10 years until now could get a C-Permit after 5 instead of ten years.

There's no arguing that being able to speak an official language facilitates integration.

However the 'anti-foreigner' swiss I've spoken to, complain about the high-german speakers just as much as any other 'foreigners'. So definitely not the major issue with integration.

Even if you learn the local language, the Cross Bellied Sneetches won't invite us to their marshmallow toasts.



Cheers,
Nick

But then again, pleasing these people people is not what integration is about.

I know quite a few Swiss who are fed up with those compatriots of theirs. The 'anti-foreigner' Swiss as you call them, are loud in the debate, but the silent majority is... the majority. For one of them complaining about High German speakers, you have nine others satisfied, relieved, happy, thankful... I interact daily with the latter kind.
In a rheto-romanic area, 100% of them will be happy and helpful when you speak rumantsch. The portuguese immigrants who integrated in rumantsch in Engiadina did a lot for the openness of the locals: by choosing to have their children in the rumantsch curriculum, they earned not only respect but also lots of support from the romonsh locals.

__________________
Es wird nichts ausgelassen, um mich hier herauszuekeln. Ein Lehrbuch. False accusations and attacks continue. There is no stopping righteous people when they are wrong.

Of course not; to fit in you just have to keep reporting your neighbours to the police, leave notes of complaint on their doors & cars...
Only joking....

Definitely true. But perhaps an insight towards finding the root cause of why integration is an issue.

Also a good point (main reason I specificed 'anti-foreigner' Swiss). But like many similar 1st world counties, when you're happy and satisfied you remain quiet and enjoy your life. When certain people have issues with something they advertise media-ize (sp?) and it becomes a big issue. On top, because of the sensationalism, many who wouldn't have a problem can sometimes be brainwashed into believing in the 'cause'. One of the main issues I had with Canada.

What Mrs Sommaruga said today means that the Federal government, in conjunction with the Cantonal governments, will establish programs to help immigrants to learn the regional language of their place of residence. She said that there were clear shortcomings in the past to be corrected. She also said that learning the language(s) was very much in the interest of the immigrants. Out of what she spoke about, I can clearly say that it was not "upper class expats" she has in mind but the actual majority of immigrants who are not privileged but UNDER-privileged and disadvantaged

Graubünden has three official languages, German and Rumantsch and Italian, and in all Rumantsch speaking areas (except Müstair), foreigners have the choice between German and Rumantsch, while in the Valle Bregaglia, the Val Mesolcina and the Valle Poschiavo, it is Italian.

This reminds me of the Integrationskurse in Germany. They even organized an official training program for the language teachers of those courses. There is also a political/historical/cultural part if I am not mistaking.
It's not old enough to know if it works better, but this policy in itself is not a scandal. Let's wait an see how they will implement it.

According to Mrs Sommaruga, it will apply to ALL foreigners. But her emphasis is clearly on Federal and Cantonal programs and not on laws.

me like also! especially about that the companies should make an effort, in the end they are to blame for the immigration avalanche!