Vortex in Brig VS
Canton fires guest house employees for refugee home
In order to create more space for refugees, the Valais wants to convert a guest house into a refugee home. This has consequences for the employees. They were all fired.
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The canton of Valais needs more space for refugees and would like to convert this guest house in Brig for this purpose.
Since the end of September, more than 200 refugees have been arriving in Valais every month. In addition to civil protection facilities, the authorities must also find other accommodation options for the refugees. The canton of Valais wants to buy the St. Ursula guest house in Brig VS for six million francs and convert it into refugee accommodation.
Up until now, the guest house has been run as a hotel and catering business. Due to the large garden area, wedding aperitifs are occasionally held. So far, eight employees have been employed for this purpose. However, they will all be dismissed at the end of April because of the authorities’ plans, as the “Walliser Bote” reports. They will continue to work in the guest house until the end of June. Then they are unemployed.
“Need more employees”
Roger Fontannaz, head of the cantonal office for asylum, confirmed the terminations to the “Walliser Bote”. However, he emphasizes that the employees can “all apply to us again afterwards”. What kind of positions will be advertised in the future is not yet clear. The purchase must be completed first. After that we will think about it.
On the other hand, it is clear that not only refugees should be accommodated in the St. Ursula house. Visitors should also be able to stay overnight. The idea is not just to turn the guest house into a refugee home, but “a meeting place for locals, guests and refugees”. Employees would still be needed for this. In addition, specialist staff are to be hired to look after the refugees. (obf)