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There are more than 300,000 Italians in Switzerland, officially making them the largest expatriate community in the country.
This content was published on November 6, 2005 - 10:22
Although they are acknowledged to have had a significant influence on Swiss economic, social and cultural life, they are not yet fully integrated.
"Switzerland would not have achieved its present economic position without the contribution of the Italian labour force," said Claudio Micheloni, the Italian-born general secretary of the Forum for the Integration of Migrants.
Italians first immigrated to Switzerland on a large scale between 1950 and 1970, mainly working the construction, engineering and catering industries.
They now number 312,000 - the largest foreign community in Switzerland, according to official statistics for 2003. This puts them ahead of the Serbia and Montenegro community (213,900).
However, the road to acceptance in Switzerland has not always been an easy one.
In the early days, Italian workers were not allowed to bring their families with them. Many lived in run-down accommodation in Italian "ghettos".
This, coupled with the fact that they didn't know the language, meant that they had little contact with the local population. Legal restrictions prevented them from changing jobs and limited their access to social security entitlements.
"In those years there was no process for achieving social integration and no intention of promoting it," explained Micheloni. "Immigrants came to Switzerland simply to work, believing they would return home after a few years."
Change
The situation began to change in the second half of the 1960s, when legal protection for migrant workers was improved and their families were allowed to join them.
But Switzerland was totally unprepared to meet the educational and social challenges posed by these new arrivals.
Italian voluntary organisations – formed mainly to provide social assistance – stepped in and played a vital role. They not only liaised with the local authorities over immigrants' rights, but also organised language courses and educational support, as well as leisure activities for the community.
Some Swiss were at first reluctant to accept the Italians. "This is a constant factor: every new group of migrants awakens fears and prejudices," said Micheloni.
But the migrants gradually managed to win acceptance, thanks to the major contribution they made the country's economy, their warmth and cheerfulness and their efforts to fit in.
Italian cuisine has also been enthusiastically embraced by many Swiss families across the country.
Integration
But there are still some integration problems - especially for first-generation immigrants who, on reaching retirement age, decide to remain in Switzerland so they can be close to their children.
"It is apparent that these people are not so well integrated as we thought," said Micheloni.
The younger generation, on the other hand, were born and brought up in Switzerland, speak the country's national languages and have embraced Swiss habits and customs.
But they do not feel fully accepted by the Swiss, especially as it remains very difficult to gain Swiss citizenship.
Last September voters threw out proposals to grant automatic citizenship to third-generation foreigners and ease naturalisation restrictions on the second generation.
This means that the community cannot take part in the political life of the country. Only a handful of cantons grant voting rights to foreign nationals.
"It is only when immigrants obtain political rights that will we be able to say that they are successfully integrated," concludes Micheloni.
swissinfo, Anna Passera
Key facts
312,000 Italians were resident in Switzerland in 2003.
Figures for 2002 show that the largest Italian communities are from northern Italy (38.4 per cent) and the south, Sicily and Sardinia (51.6%).
There are large concentrations of Italian nationals in Zurich (22.7%), Basel (14.4%) and Lausanne (11.3%).
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In brief
The mass exodus of Italian workers started after 1870 when they went to work on the Gotthard and Simplon railway tunnels.
Immigration to Switzerland reached its height between 1950 and 1970, when Italians became the country's largest foreign community.
From the late 1970s, the world oil crisis and changes in the labour market led to a steady decline in the number of new immigrants.
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As an enthusiast deeply familiar with migration patterns and cultural integration, it's evident that the article you provided sheds light on the historical and contemporary aspects of Italian migration to Switzerland. My expertise in this field is anchored in a thorough understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural dynamics involved in such migrations.
The article highlights the pivotal role of Italians in Switzerland, starting with their significant contribution to the country's economic, social, and cultural landscape. The statement by Claudio Micheloni, the Italian-born general secretary of the Forum for the Integration of Migrants, underscores the undeniable influence of the Italian labor force on Switzerland's economic success.
The historical context is crucial, noting the substantial influx of Italian workers between 1950 and 1970, primarily employed in construction, engineering, and catering. The challenges faced by these early migrants, including restrictions on family reunification, limited access to social security, and language barriers, provide a nuanced understanding of the difficulties they encountered.
The evolution of the situation in the second half of the 1960s, marked by improved legal protection and the allowance for families to join the workers, reflects the changing attitudes and policies. The article also acknowledges the instrumental role played by Italian voluntary organizations in facilitating social integration through initiatives like language courses and educational support.
Importantly, the article delves into the gradual acceptance of Italians by the Swiss population, emphasizing the positive impact of their contributions, warmth, and efforts to assimilate. The integration challenges mentioned, especially for first-generation immigrants approaching retirement, shed light on ongoing issues despite progress.
The discussion on the younger generation, born and raised in Switzerland, facing difficulties in obtaining Swiss citizenship indicates a continued struggle for complete integration. The rejection of proposals to grant automatic citizenship to third-generation foreigners reveals existing hurdles in political participation and full acceptance.
Key demographic data, such as the number of Italians in Switzerland (312,000 in 2003) and their distribution across regions like Zurich, Basel, and Lausanne, adds quantitative depth to the narrative. The article also touches on the historical context of Italian migration, starting with the mass exodus in 1870 and peaking between 1950 and 1970.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the Italian community in Switzerland, blending historical perspectives with contemporary challenges. It underscores the multifaceted nature of migration, integration, and the ongoing efforts to bridge cultural divides in a dynamic and evolving sociopolitical landscape.
