symp apr 02 page e

The importance of temporary inflow of natural persons for the Swiss IT MarketJoint WTO-World Bank symposium on the movement of natural persons (mode 4) under the GATSGeneva, April 11-12, 2002: 

The importance of temporary inflow of natural persons for the Swiss IT Market Joint WTO-World Bank symposium on the movement of natural persons (mode 4) under the GATS Geneva, April 11-12, 2002 Pierre E. Page President TKS-Teknosoft Ltd Logistics/Administration/Powerpoint/Divers/WTO-12APRIL2002.ppt 1

Switzerland - an open country: 

Switzerland - an open country Economically strong Size: 41’284 km2 Population (2001) - Total: 7’204’000 - Active: 3’938’000 GNP 2000: CHF 451,4 bios Open 19,7 % of foreign population at end 2001 Inflow of 150’000 asylum seekers (1997-2001) 50% of GNP produced by exports 2

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BUT… The net outflow of scientists/researchers from Switzerland amounts to approximately 400 professionals per year 3

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From a service economy to an information society 2/3 of Swiss GNP produced by services IT manpower in Switzerland: 67’500 staff Total IT manpower cost: CHF 4,9 billions/year (a) Penetration of IT in Swiss Businesses 70% of Swiss businesses use IT 56% of all workplaces are equipped with IT resources BUT… 4 (a) Source: Swiss Federal Statistic Office-Indicator of the swiss information society 1999

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The GATS rules as applicable and applied in Switzerland No hidden hurdles Conditions are clear and known Conditions match the agreement as signed by Switzerland How to obtain a work permit? 1. Annual work permits quotas decided by federal government 2. Signed employment contract 3. Minimum salary and social security conditions 4. University degree 5. No change of job, profession and/or location (state) allowed 6

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The GATS rules as applicable and applied in Switzerland Advantages of the GATS for the employee 1. Recruiting priority criteria have been suppressed For Swiss manpower For preferential recruiting areas 2. Appeal against administration’s decisions handled by a court and not by administrative authorities 7

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Procedure to obtain a work permit under GATS regulations Switzerland being a federal state, work permit application originates with the cantons Cantonal labour market authority Cantonal alien police authority The procedure is canton-dependent Elapsed time to obtain a work permit: 4-8 weeks The candidate cannot be in Switzerland during work permit procedure 9

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The GATS work permit procedure: Room for improvement Authorization for families Currently: granted for 18/48-month work permit Proposition: granted for 4/6-month work permit too 10 Regulations for work permit renewal Currently: amazingly complex Proposition: simplify and reduce « off-Switzerland » period between 2 work permits Business visa duration Currently: 15 consecutive days, single entry Proposition: up to 30 consecutive days, multiple entries

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Practical learnings from the application of GATS regulations for IT staff The Swiss authorities can be reached and cooperate No hidden hurdle Work permit procedure generally reliable and fast A few changes may improve the overall procedure 11