More than 700 foreign strippers received a special Swiss work permit in 2015, the last issued in a controversial programme that expires on January 1, the immigration office said Tuesday.
Switzerland began awarding eight-month permits in 1995 to women from outside the European Union who wanted to come to the country to work as strippers and cabaret dancers.
The programme was meant to protect people who may have otherwise been vulnerable to sex traffickers, and dancers from Russia, the Dominican Republic and Thailand were among the top recipients.
But following a prolonged investigation, Swiss authorities in 2014 announced that the programme was no longer serving a protective role, with some permit holders subjected to forced prostitution after arrival in the country.
Migration office spokeswoman Lea Wertheimer confirmed that the programme will formally be cancelled as of the new year.
She said 751 people received the so-called stripper visa in 2014 and 712 others were given the permit this year, according to figures updated in October.
Since 2005, more than 10,700 people were given the visas, called "L permits".
Proponents said it gave women a chance to earn significant money in wealthy Switzerland which they could send home to their families.
But critics argued the programme had been corrupted, notably by traffickers and middlemen who demanded money after helping helping women get their permits.
GMT 13:17 2018 Thursday ,11 October
Expect new elements at New Year’s Eve celebrationsGMT 07:04 2018 Saturday ,06 October
Perrenoud performs jazz concert at Opera HouseGMT 17:25 2018 Thursday ,06 September
Governor of Sevastopol invites Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters to play a concertGMT 17:06 2018 Friday ,05 January
The Golden Globes and Hollywood's gender equalityGMT 06:24 2018 Tuesday ,02 January
Vienna waltzes the world into 2018 with New Year's concertGMT 17:34 2017 Thursday ,28 December
Beyonce's sister Solange reveals autonomic disorder, cancels showGMT 21:37 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Rio expects three million for New Year's at CopacabanaGMT 21:30 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Shakira cancels tour, hopes for June returnMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor