One in six people in Switzerland suffer racial discrimination
Published: Thursday, Feb 1st 2024, 12:00
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According to a survey, one in six people living in Switzerland has been racially discriminated against in the last five years. Younger people and people with a migration background are particularly affected.
In a monitoring survey conducted by the Service for Combating Racism, 17 percent of people stated that they had experienced racist discrimination - that is 1.2 million people in Switzerland. Racism and racial discrimination are a reality for a growing number of people in Switzerland, the specialist unit announced on Thursday.
Often at the workplace
Most of those affected are between 15 and 39 years old, the press release continues. Racial discrimination occurs in all areas of life. 69 percent of those surveyed stated that they had been discriminated against in their everyday working life or when looking for a job.
These include unjustified discrimination in the application process, insults and bullying or wage discrimination. Furthermore, 30 percent cited the public sphere and 27 percent the school as a place of discrimination.
The monitoring clearly shows that there is a need for action in the form of institutional measures to better protect people from exclusion, the report continued. There should be an increased focus on structural racism on the labor market or in schools.
Also on Thursday, the Federal Council announced that it would work with the cantons to develop a strategy and an action plan against racism and anti-Semitism. It will also examine whether a new commissioner for combating racism and anti-Semitism should be appointed.
Monitoring every two years
Data from the survey "Living together in Switzerland" and counseling cases from the counseling network for victims of racism were evaluated as part of the monitoring of the Office for Combating Racism. The monitoring has been published every two years since 2010. The aim is to develop a fact-based and effective anti-racism policy.
©Keystone/SDA
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