Politics Parliament shows sympathy for payment cards for asylum seekers

Parliament expresses its sympathy for a payment card for asylum seekers. The National Council is examining how such a means of payment could be introduced nationwide. The Council of States has already passed a similar postulate.

On Thursday, the National Council passed a postulate from the Political Institutions Committee (SPK-N) by 128 votes to 59. Payment cards are intended to make Switzerland less attractive for asylum seekers because they no longer receive cash that they could transfer to their home country.

The cantons pay benefits to asylum seekers. The Federal Council should therefore clarify how the cantons could be supported in introducing the card. It should also explain what impact these cards would have on crime.

Andreas Glarner (SVP/AG) said on behalf of the SPK-N that the aim of the card is to ensure that social welfare funds are used in a targeted manner and can no longer be transferred abroad. A similar postulate was already referred by the Council of States last June. The Federal Council expressed its opposition.

SDA