The Italian seasonal workers in Switzerland

Following the Second World War and until 2002, hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers came from Italy to Switzerland, where they were often forced to live under inhumane conditions. A photo exhibit in St Gallen focuses on their daily life. Immigrants from Switzerland's southe neighbour still make up the largest diaspora in Switzerland. During the economic boom that followed the Second World War, there was a labour shortage in Switzerland. A decision was made to recruit foreign workers, and in 1948 Switzerland signed a recruitment contract with Italy. Switzerland's goal was clear: increase the number of workers without allowing them to settle permanently. The regulations were tough: the seasonal workers were allowed to stay in Switzerland a maximum of nine months, they were prohibited from claiming social benefits, and they weren't allowed to bring their families with them. The Italian immigrant workers (later there were workers from Spain and Portugal as well) had to live ...