Bern - The Swiss government decided Wednesday not to invoke a safeguard clause in the Schengen agreement, which would have let the Alpine country limit the number of European workers allowed in. The conservative Justice Minister Evelyn Widmer-Schlumpf had proposed limitations a week earlier, citing rising unemployment in Switzerland.
About 3.5 per cent of the Swiss population are currently unemployed. While this is the highest rate in three years it is below European averages.
The other ministers moved against the proposal at a meeting of the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive branch. There was concern of tensions with other nations if the Swiss would invoke the safeguard.
In 2007, Switzerland lifted its quotas for members of the first 15 European Union members and Cyprus and Malta.
It could have used the clause in its agreement for up to two years.
The Schengen Agreement forms part of European Union law, and provides for free movement of citizens between participating states.
