Question 218 of 350 · The 20th century
In the 1950s, Switzerland needed foreign workers. Where did most of them come from?
In den 1950er-Jahren brauchte die Schweiz ausländische Arbeitskräfte. Woher kamen die meisten?
Correct answer: C
Why
In 1948, Switzerland concluded an agreement with Italy on workers. That is why mainly Italians came in the 1950s.
Common mistakes
- A: Portugal
- People from Portugal came mainly later, in the 1980s and 1990s.
- B: France
- Fewer people came from France; Italy was by far the most important country of origin.
Topic
Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
After the Second World War, the economy grew strongly. Switzerland needed many workers. In 1948 it concluded an agreement with Italy. After that, mainly Italians came. They worked in construction, in factories and in hotels. Many only had a permit as a seasonal worker (Saisonnier): they were allowed to stay for a few months and could not bring their family. Later, people also came from Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Turkey.
History of Switzerland · The 20th century
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.