SEM reduces support staff for young asylum seekers
Published: Saturday, Oct 19th 2024, 11:40
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The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is reducing its support staff for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMA). It will cut 120 full-time positions at national level.
The SEM confirmed a report by the newspaper ArcInfo on Saturday. It justified the reduction with the decline in arrivals of young asylum seekers in Switzerland.
"As we are looking after fewer asylum seekers than expected, we will need fewer support staff in the coming months and are considering closing some locations," SEM spokeswoman Magdalena Rast told the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The number of unaccompanied minors in the various federal asylum centers has fallen from 1500 in September 2023 to 600 today. The decision does not affect the specially trained educators and social pedagogues.
Les Rochats center to be closed
The SEM is currently working on specific measures and will provide information in due course. According to the newspaper, 20 out of around 140 employees at the Federal Asylum Center (BAZ) in Boudry NE are affected, while 25 out of around 65 jobs in Les Rochats VD are to disappear.
The spokesperson also confirmed the imminent closure of the center in Les Rochats. It will remain in operation until the center in Grand-Saconnex GE opens, which is planned for summer 2025.
The center in Les Rochats is temporary accommodation provided to the SEM by the Federal Department of Defense. Rast added that the SEM will have sufficient accommodation available by mid-2025.
©Keystone/SDA
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