Switzerland’s largest retailer relies on foreign workers to guarantee supply; Valais bans SVP’s anti-immigration poster; and more news in our roundup on Monday.
Switzerland’s largest retailer relies on foreign workers to guarantee supply
Speaking over the weekend about the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative to be voted on in a referendum on June 14th, Migros CEO Mario Irminger pointed out how crucial immigrants are to the retail sector.
“We need foreign workforce to maintain the current level of performance,” he stressed.
For instance, currently 60 percent of the employees at the Migero meat processing company. Micarna, are foreign nationals.
“We depend on them, now and in the future, to fill the labour gaps,” Irminger stated.
Without immigrats, on the other hand, “there is a strong likelihood that services and supply will decrease.”
And more news about the ‘no to 10 million’ proposal:
Valais bans the anti-immigration poster
The poster urging voters to approve the ‘No to 10 million’ referendum features a sign similar to the real ‘Do not enter’ road sign.
SVP media
For the Valais police, this poster is unacceptable, and the reason is not the message it conveys – that is, to cut immigration so that Switzerland’s population does not exceed the 10-million mark.
Instead, they say the image could be confusing… to motorists, who could mistake it for a real ‘do not enter’ sign.
The cantonal authorities have asked the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which instigated the campign, to make the poster less ambiguous because the way it is now “could mislead road users.”
Predictably, the SVP refused to modify the poster, prompting the canton to ban its use on its territory.
The SVP retorted that they will appeal this decision and, in the meantime, will affix the “censored image” sticker to the poster.
Two-thirds of vegetables sold in Swiss supermarkets found to contain toxic substances
Consumer magazine KTipp analysed samples of various vegetables sold in Switzerland and discovered that of the 25 products tested, 16 were contaminated with substances dangerous to human health – specifically, PFAS chemicals.
The highest level of toxins was found in carrots and potatoes, with cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes slightly less contaminated.
The organic vegetables in the sample were, however, generally less contaminated than conventional products. For instance, the PFAS content of organic carrots from Coop and Lidl was about half that of conventional carrots from Migros and Aldi.
Moving from one residence to another can increase rents by up to 50 percent
Rents for new dwellings in Switzerland had risen by 17 percent between 2016 and 2025, compared to just 5 percent for existing leases, a study by real estate consultancy Wüest Partner reveals.
But in some cantons, the gap between old and new rents is significantly higher.
In Geneva, for example, new rents are more than 50 percent higher.
In Zug, it is 38 percent more, and in Zurich, 20 percent.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
