Psychologist who clean toilets

The ORS assistants take care of most of the maintenance and meals but they also work as translators, nurses and social workers. Even though they don’t really know the whole asylum procedure or the laws on asylum, they share their daily lives with the asylum seekers during their stay at the centre. The assistants often find themselves acting as a buffer between the administration of the ODM and the asylum seekers.

Their work is difficult and often exhausting because each day brings its share of emotions and problems. They are constantly called upon and always under pressure and have to find temporary solution to problems. They don’t have fixed duties. They alternate between nursing, cleaning and cooking according to their schedule.

Most of the assistants are foreigners or they live in neighbouring France or have travelled extensively. They don’t have any particular training, they have been chosen for their flexibility, their knowledge of languages and their social skills. When you listen to them you realize that their relationship with the asylum seekers is intense. These “cleaning therapists” as one of them likes to call himself, oscillate between suspicion and compassion but do their work with conviction. They are aware of the particular nature of their work and qualify it as «social work».

Mr. Pierre-Alain, Chief assistant

“I studied law and I’m a criminologist. I’m also a volunteer police officer in a small town. Before working here I was responsible for the security in a big firm but I had lost my motivation. When I told my mother I had applied for this job she burst out laughing! I lean much more towards the right when it comes to immigration and I don’t really support the asylum cause. Due to my experience with the police I see asylum seekers more as criminals than anything else and I am still surprised I work here.

I started a month ago and I have visited all the CEP centres in Switzerland. My first impression is that what certain parties and media say about the abuses in the asylum process is not false. Immigration causes problems. Those who really need asylum don’t have the means to come here and those who do don’t need our protection. They know that their chances of being granted asylum are slim but they get free housing and food. As winter draws near the applications increase; there are people how try to abuse of our system. It would be better to help them in their home countries instead of giving them the illusion of a life here.

I want to do my work here well but the problem is that the asylum seeker has absolutely no responsibility here. They are like bored children who do foolish things. I want to organize sports activities or have them participate more in the chores. I would like to create workshops for the children and even have them discover the region.  These activities would make them useful and more responsible.

They would feel useful and know what it’s like to be part of a community. I would also like to suggest they work on public works in the community. It would relax the tense atmosphere between the locals and the asylum seekers. I like military discipline and I would like to apply it here to make these projects happen.

I was born in Switzerland but I am the son of an Italian immigrant. My grandfather was a seasonal worker who lived in barracks but I feel more Swiss than Italian. The Italians came to Switzerland to work not to seek asylum. They integrated the culture quickly because their culture was similar. Nowadays that’s not the case. Here when a couple does the shopping the man carries the bags but for others it’s the opposite and it shocks people”.

Mrs. Estrella, assistant

“This August it will be my third year at the centre. I’m one of the older ones, I have experience. Sometimes it is really difficult to be here. In the beginning I was too much of a “Mother Teresa”. When I would get home my head felt like it was going to explode. My colleagues would tell me that I was giving too much to the asylum seekers but they also gave back. If I could have helped them all, I would have. With time you learn to spot the ones that just want to take advantage. You become tougher, you protect yourself. I will always have time for those who are truly lonely and sad though.

I am a foreigner. I arrived in Switzerland in 1991. I have no training and I worked in a factory for 14 years. I don’t like to be closed in, I like to be able to move and talk to people. I love human contact and that’s what I like about the centre. You meet wonderful people. They tell you it’s hard. I understand them because it was also hard for me when I first came to Switzerland. I didn’t speak the language. When I went out I had the impression that everyone was staring at me. It’s also very difficult for the asylum seekers in this country, maybe that’s what touches me.

My parents are in Portugal. I am divorced and only have my two children. At the centre it’s a changing family but you quickly adapt to the new members. You give them what you can. Sometimes it’s hard because you get attached to certain people. When they leave it is feels strange but with time you get used to it. When one leaves another arrives and we get to know each other. Part of the mystery is always getting to know new people.

I could get married three times a week! Someone always tells me they love me. With time you get tougher and you know how to say no when you need to. In the beginning I couldn’t get them to respect me, now I know how to say no and if they insist I find an explanation that works.

The Africans are very picky about clothes and often refuse what we offer them. They complain but they don’t realize that once out of the centre it will be even harder. Here we give them everything. I can recognize a good one from a bad one by their behaviour in the changing room. The ones that really have nothing will be happy with what you give them and thank you. Some will check if the clothes are a name brand and if they aren’t they’ll refuse them.

I think that my job is very important because I help people. Even the cleaning of the rooms is important. It’s important for them to be in a clean environment. It’s not difficult for me to do this job it’s a pleasure. I don’t ask questions. I talk about the weather but I never ask them about their past. I avoid talking politics and nationality. That is the interviewer’s job.

"I feel more Swiss than Italian."

"It is like my adoptive family here."