Asylum system Zurich cantonal council rejects payment card for asylum seekers

Two motions on payment cards for asylum seekers were submitted to the Zurich Cantonal Council on Monday. The left and center parties initially successfully opposed a motion.

The cantonal council rejected the motion from the SVP and FDP by 94 votes to 77. The Council will decide on a similar parliamentary initiative by the SVP and FDP at a later date.

The idea is not new: in mid-April, the Bundestag, the German parliament, decided to introduce a payment card for asylum seekers. In future, they are to receive part of their state benefits as credit on a card instead of cash.

No payments can be made with this card. This is intended to prevent migrants from transferring money to smugglers or family and friends abroad.

The government council rejected both proposals, which were identical in content. Security Director Mario Fehr (non-partisan) spoke of a "frothy proposal". Germany was not a suitable role model.

SDA