Limiting the number of immigrants not likely to solve housing shortage; Geneva businesses urged to set up barricades for G7 summit; plus other news in our roundup this Friday.
Limiting the number of immigrants not likely to solve housing shortage
The housing shortage in Switzerland is “essentially the result of insufficient supply and less a problem related to migration flows,” Fredy Hasenmaile, chief economist at Raiffeisen Bank, said in an interview.
This statement negates the arguments the Swiss People Party (SVP) uses to justify their push to cap immigration.
The housing shortage has several causes, but the main one lies on the supply side, he said.
“Switzerland has ample building land, but it remains unavailable due to excessive regulation.”
Geneva businesses urged to set up barricades for G7 summit
Retailers, restaurants, and other businesses in Geneva have received letters from their property management companies alerting them to the risks associated with demonstrations planned in response to the G7 summit in Evian in mid-June.
The letter strongly recommends protecting shopfronts and entrances by setting up barricades and hiring specialised security companies.
The cost of the damages could reach several hundred francs per square metre, which would be entirely borne by the businesses, the letter warns.
Regional buses and trains are cleaner and more punctual than before
According to the report by the Federal Transport Office (BAV) on Thursday, over 95 percent of trains and 90 percent of regional buses reached their destinations on time in 2025, that is, with a delay of less than three minutes.
Punctuality improved across all categories of regional lines compared to 2024.
Regarding the quality of conditions before and during travel by train or regional bus, “the overall trend of improvement continued for most criteria,” BAV said.
Though cleanliness remains among the lowest-rated areas, passengers report “clear and continuous improvement over the past three years, particularly at stops.”
Artificial Intelligence is re-shaping hiring practices in Switzerland
According to the latest Talent Trends 2026 report by Michael Page recruiter, AI is transforming hiring practices in Switzerland, but candidates are adopting it significantly faster than employers.
The study revealed that 86 percent of Swiss jobseekers use AI in their job search, compared to 69 percent of employers using AI in recruitment processes.
However, only 39 percent of employers say AI-assisted applications make them more likely to hire.
“AI hasn’t rewritten the rules of recruitment — but it has changed the pace,” sais Yannick Coulange, Managing Director of Page Group Switzerland. “Candidates have already adapted but recruitment processes are still catching up.”
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