No more Surprise sales for asylum seekers
The Canton of Zurich prohibits asylum seekers from working as vendors for the street magazine *Surprise*. *Surprise* had to learn of the decision—which was backed by the Zurich Cantonal Council and issued by the Cantonal Office for Economy and Labor (AWA)—from the media.
Because before the street magazine was in possession of a legally valid injunction, the corresponding press release from the Zurich government appeared. On Thursday, Surprise then requested the ruling from the responsible authority. According to a press release from the cantonal government, the AWA does not consider the Surprise programs to be integrative in nature.
According to a statement from the street magazine, this decision will now send those affected back to the asylum homes, into a meaningless everyday life and dependence on state aid. With a definitive ban, the magazine would lose 40 experienced vendors. In the cantons of Bern and Basel-Stadt, sales by asylum seekers are tolerated, as 20 Minuten reported on Thursday.
The sale of the magazine was banned for the first time in fall 2008 and a transitional period was granted until summer 2009. A request to extend the deadline was rejected. An employment program reviewed by external experts is not considered and the application is rejected. Surprise is now awaiting the legally binding ruling.
According to a statement from the street magazine, this decision will now send those affected back to the asylum homes, into a meaningless everyday life and dependence on state aid. With a definitive ban, the magazine would lose 40 experienced vendors. In the cantons of Bern and Basel-Stadt, sales by asylum seekers are tolerated, as 20 Minuten reported on Thursday.
The sale of the magazine was banned for the first time in fall 2008 and a transitional period was granted until summer 2009. A request to extend the deadline was rejected. An employment program reviewed by external experts is not considered and the application is rejected. Surprise is now awaiting the legally binding ruling.
