Summary
The Swiss Federal Council opened a consultation on March 20, 2026 regarding amendments to two central ordinances. The goal is to promote employment and integration of persons from the asylum and foreign affairs sector. Temporarily protected persons are to be increasingly integrated into existing integration structures. The consultation period ends on June 29, 2026.
Persons
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (responsible department)
Topics
- Integration policy
- Asylum and foreign law
- Employment of foreigners
- Regulatory changes
Clarus Lead
The Federal Council is initiating a formal consultation procedure to modernize the legal framework for integration and employment of foreigners. The planned amendments affect the Ordinance on the Integration of Foreigners (VIntA) and the Ordinance on Admission, Residence and Employment (VZAE). This is relevant for decision-makers in administration, business, and civil society, as it redefines the framework conditions for labour market integration and social integration.
Detailed Summary
The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) has published the opening of the consultation for two corresponding ordinance amendments. The focus is on targeted improvement of integration and employment participation of specific population groups from the asylum and foreign affairs sector.
The innovation particularly affects temporarily protected persons, who are to be systematically integrated into existing integration structures in the future. This means an expansion of access to integration programmes and potentially also to labour market support measures. The consultation runs for 101 days (March 20 to June 29, 2026) and is directed at cantons, municipalities, associations, and other interested parties. Detailed documents are available on the Fedlex platform.
Key Statements
- The Federal Council initiates a formal consultation procedure to modernize integration and employment regulations
- Temporarily protected persons receive expanded access to existing integration structures
- The consultation period lasts 101 days and ends on June 29, 2026
- Two central ordinances (VIntA and VZAE) are being amended
Critical Questions
Data Quality: On what empirical findings is the assumption based that expanded structural integration actually increases employment participation of temporarily protected persons? What evaluation data are available?
Conflicts of Interest: Which stakeholder groups (employers, trade unions, cantons) have influenced the preparation of these amendments, and how is their independence ensured?
Causality and Alternatives: Why was the expansion to temporarily protected persons chosen as a solution instead of other approaches (e.g., language promotion, professional recognition)? Which alternatives were examined?
Feasibility and Risks: Do existing integration structures have sufficient capacity and resources to accommodate additional population groups without suffering quality losses?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Consultation Opening: Federal Department of Justice and Police – Integration and Employment of Specific Population Groups – News Service Federal Government, March 20, 2026
Verification Status: ✓ March 20, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: March 20, 2026