It has emerged that refugees arriving in Switzerland have to turn any valuables worth over 1,000 Swiss Francs (roughly €914) to help pay for their upkeep.
The Guardian reports that broadcaster SRF showed a receipt from a Syrian refugee who had to hand over half the money his family had remaining after paying traffickers to help his family reach the country.
The document also showed an information sheet for refugees that stated: “If you have property worth more than 1,000 Swiss francs when you arrive at a reception centre you are required to give up these financial assets in return for a receipt.”
A spokesperson for the refugee aid group Schweizerische Fluechtlingshilfe, Stefan Frey, described the process as ‘undignified.’
The practice is already in place in Denmark, and is being heavily criticised.
The document also showed an information sheet for refugees that stated: “If you have property worth more than 1,000 Swiss francs when you arrive at a reception centre you are required to give up these financial assets in return for a receipt.”
Stefan Frey, from refugee aid group Schweizerische Fluechtlingshilfe, was quoted as saying: “This is undignified … This has to change.”
A representative from the Swiss migration authority SEM stated: ‘If someone leaves voluntarily within seven months this person can get the money back and take it with them. Otherwise, the money covers costs they generate.’
Refugees who win the right to stay and work in Switzerland have to surrender 10% of their pay for up to 10 years until they repay 15,000 Swiss francs in costs, according to the report.
