The Federal Council proposed new measures to strengthen labour market participation among asylum seekers and migrants. The proposed changes aim to formally extend integration measures to beneficiaries of protection status S by embedding the Integration Agenda Switzerland into the legal framework. Cantons would be allowed to use federal funds to support integration measures for individuals with a pending applications for protection status S. In addition, these applicants would be granted access to employment, subject to cantonal authorisation, aligning their rights with those of asylum seekers.
The reform also seeks to strengthen early integration for asylum seekers by allowing cantons to use federal contributions for a broader range of measures beyond language training, including skills assessments and employability programmes.
Finally, the Federal Council plans to transform the pilot Integration Pre-Apprenticeship Programme (PAI) into a permanent federal programme, supporting late-arriving young migrants in preparing for vocational training.
The consultation process will run until 29 June 2026.
- Federal Council | Der Bundesrat | Conseil fédéral | Consiglio federale (20 March, 2026), Le Conseil fédéral propose de nouvelles mesures pour encourager les personnes relevant des domaines de l’asile et des étrangers à exercer une activité lucrative [The Federal Council is proposing new measures to encourage people in the asylum and foreign professions to take up gainful employment],