Filipinos in Switzerland
Encyclopedia
Filipinos in Switzerland consist of migrants from the Philippines
to Switzerland
and their descendants. As early as 1975, Switzerland had 188 Philippine citizens living there. By 2005, that number had grown to 3,547. From the 1970s until the 1990s, some Filipinas came to Switzerland as guest workers, primarily in the nursing sectors. In the 1980s, some women came on 10-month work permits, officially to work as cabaret dancers; in reality, many were forced into prostitution. Migration through marriage was another common path to Switzerland. However, after 1992, those married to Swiss citizens no longer automatically acquired Swiss citizenship
. The trend of Philippine citizens coming to Switzerland on a tourist visa and then overstaying to find work began in the 1990s.
In general, Filipinos tend not to have Swiss friends, aside from their work colleagues. Filipinos see the Swiss as introverted and feel it is difficult to form friendships with them; also, many Filipinos feel they do not speak German well enough to express themselves freely, and instead feel inhibited when speaking the language. According to Anny Misa Hefti, founder of women's' organisation Samahang Pilipina, Filipino migrants also lack interest or involvement in Swiss politics.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and their descendants. As early as 1975, Switzerland had 188 Philippine citizens living there. By 2005, that number had grown to 3,547. From the 1970s until the 1990s, some Filipinas came to Switzerland as guest workers, primarily in the nursing sectors. In the 1980s, some women came on 10-month work permits, officially to work as cabaret dancers; in reality, many were forced into prostitution. Migration through marriage was another common path to Switzerland. However, after 1992, those married to Swiss citizens no longer automatically acquired Swiss citizenship
Swiss nationality law
Swiss citizenship is the status of being a citizen of Switzerland and it can be obtained by birth, marriage or naturalisation.The Swiss Citizenship Law is based on the following principles:...
. The trend of Philippine citizens coming to Switzerland on a tourist visa and then overstaying to find work began in the 1990s.
In general, Filipinos tend not to have Swiss friends, aside from their work colleagues. Filipinos see the Swiss as introverted and feel it is difficult to form friendships with them; also, many Filipinos feel they do not speak German well enough to express themselves freely, and instead feel inhibited when speaking the language. According to Anny Misa Hefti, founder of women's' organisation Samahang Pilipina, Filipino migrants also lack interest or involvement in Swiss politics.