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Genevans approve using offices for apartments

Developers in the canton of Geneva will have the right to transform commercial and industrial buildings for residential use after voters on Sunday approved a change in the law.

Published: 15 June 2015 09:21 CEST

Genevans approve using offices for apartments

Office building in Geneva. Photo: AFP

Proponents of the legislation say it will create needed new housing while critics say it will do nothing to make accommodation more affordable in Switzerland’s second largest city.

The change, endorsed by around 58 percent of voters, will allow apartments converted from office, industrial, administrative and artisanal space to escape rent controls.

“It’s a good project that is going to allow the creation of hundreds of housing units,” Roger Golay, president of the Geneva Citizens’ Movement (MCG), is quoted as saying by the Tribune de Genève.

While Geneva continues to suffer a critical shortage of housing, with vacancy rates of around 0.3 percent, the share of office space that is unoccupied rose to 5.9 percent in the first quarter of 2015 from 5.2 percent in the same period a year earlier.

Right-wing parties promoted the change to Geneva’s “law on demolitions, transformations and renovations” against the opposition of left wingers and Asloca, the tenant’s association.

Asloca warned that the liberalization of the laws would result in raising the cost of housing.

It is also concerned about the removal of rental apartments from the stock of housing in the canton.

Currently around 85 percent of Geneva’s population lives in rented accommodation.

Even with controls from the cantonal government, the median price to buy an apartment is close to 9,000 francs per square metre, Asloca noted.

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'Things have changed': Can you get a job in Geneva without speaking French?

Organisations such as the International Red Cross, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations are either based in Geneva or have a significant presence there.

Furthermore, the Geneva region has a population of over half a million, making it an ideal base for global businesses to reach Swiss (and European) markets.

There is no doubt that the city is a centre of international diplomacy and business and has been for decades.

Having said that, how hard is it to find a job in Switzerland’s largest francophone city? Or indeed anywhere in Suisse Romande in general? Do you have a chance of securing a role without French language skills?

The expert view

Recruiters think you might find it challenging if you’re not planning to work for one of the major international bodies.

Anthony Caffon, Director of Finance at Michael Page, a significant regional recruiter, told The Local: “From our perspective, as a large operator in West Switzerland, only a few roles don’t require candidates to speak French.

“A few years ago, there was indeed a shortage of skills in the market, and coupled with major multinational companies located here, companies were open to employing non-French speakers.

“We now notice a change. French is required in 90 percent of the roles we recruit outside international organisations.

“Organisations would only take on non-French speakers in some highly technical roles, for which there is absolutely no local talent pool,” he said.

‘It was critical for wider job opportunities’

However, when surveyed, readers of The Local had differing perspectives on whether not knowing French was a hindrance to searching for a job in Geneva.

Sofia, an American, responded: “It depends on the job and sector. French is desirable but not required for international organisations, NGOs, and many private companies such as EA Games or financial companies like Barclays.”

However, she noted that speaking French became more essential when settling in the country.

“It was critical for my Swiss naturalisation, but also to have a wider spectrum of job opportunities and better working relationships.”

Generally, to apply for Swiss citizenship in the canton of Geneva, one must achieve French oral B1 and written A2, as set in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Michael, who lives near Lausanne, agreed with Sofia, telling The Local: “It depends if you work for a multinational or a local company.”

“If you work for a multinational or Swiss company, you need French. But you can generally use English in the office at Nestle, BAT, PMI, Novartis, or WHO.”

Another respondent, Phil, believed that speaking French would assist in job searching.

He stated, “I think it depends on your industry. If you work in the pharmaceutical area, then just English is fine.

“If you speak French, however, I think it’s easier to understand the application process and job descriptions.”

A Briton, Katie, thought speaking French could also help smooth the way when starting a new role in Geneva.

She responded: “It shows you are curious about where you live. It helps build relationships with colleagues and, of course, for some jobs, it is needed.”

‘You can get by fine’

Those seeking to work in Geneva who don’t speak French shouldn’t fret just yet.

An anonymous respondent from Ireland told The Local: “Some basic French is needed not to look utterly dysfunctional in casual social settings, but if the business works in English, then that is generally sufficient.

“Once you can complete the technical requirements of your job well, you can get by fine,” they said.

“Some employers will specify that French and English are requirements on the job listings, even if you only need English to do the job.

“Not having any French can put people off applying for many openings when, in fact, they might be fine applying anyway.”

What have you experienced finding a job in Geneva? Did you need French skills? Let us know in the comments.

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