The National Council gave the green light to the reform of the civil service. The people will still have their last say.
A soldier who wishes to turn to the civil service will have to wait twelve months before leaving the army: the National has joined the Council of States putting under roof the reform of the civil service, but nothing is played: the referendum will be launched (archives).
KEYSTONE / URS FLUEELER
Civil service may well become less attractive, especially for the military who ultimately choose its ranks. The National eliminated on Thursday the last divergence on this reform intended to respond to the reduction in the army’s strength. The people will have the last word.
By 104 votes to 86, the National Council rallied to the Council of States on the waiting time for soldiers who turn to civilian service. They will have to wait twelve months before they can leave the army.
This measure will prevent some people from choosing civil service impulsively. The military will have enough time to conduct personal interviews. Experience has shown that in a third of the cases, the dialogue measures made it possible to convince people to stay, said Jean-Luc Addor (UDC / VS) on behalf of the committee.
Useless chicanery
For the left, supported by the Liberal Vert’s, this delay is useless chicanery. There is no need to wait a year to determine if this is a choice of comfort or a problem of consciousness. The doubt that this revision casts on the conflict of conscience “is an insult to all those who choose this voice”, argued in vain Fabien Fivaz (Greens / NE).
The coronavirus pandemic has shown that civil service makes it possible to serve one’s country in a different way and is not used to escape, defended Pierre-Alain Fridez (PS / JU). During the crisis, some 4,000 civilians were on ordinary assignments in the areas of health, social work or public education, and another 400 were called in for reinforcement.
Civil service is not a first aid structure, however, recalled Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin. It works in addition to civil protection and the army. The revision aims above all to considerably reduce the departures of educated soldiers towards the civil service. The time limit does not apply to persons who are not yet incorporated into the army or in the case of active service or support service.
The last remaining issue was the waiting period. In the end, the two Chambers accepted seven of the eight measures planned by the Federal Council to tighten the conditions for admission to civilian service. They refused to ban overseas assignments.
Referendum in sight
The people will have the last word. The Civil Service Association CIVIVA, the Groupement for a Switzerland without an army and the Greens will launch the referendum, supported by the PS.
With the reform, in addition to the twelve-month waiting period, civilians will have to complete at least 150 days of service. Even non-commissioned officers and officers admitted to civilian service will have to complete one and a half times the number of days of military service. Doctors will no longer be able to do civilian service at doctorate positions.
Admissions will no longer be possible for soldiers who have completed all of their days of training service (unless called up for active or support service). The idea is to prevent some from evading compulsory fire by going into civilian service.
Restricted period
The project also provides for the obligation to complete the first period of service before the end of the year following admission. Civilians will then be required to do one period of service per year, a rate equivalent to that of the military.
Finally, recruits wishing to enter the civilian service must have completed their 180-day long assignment no later than the year following their request and no more than three years from now.
((ATS / NXP)
Posted today at 9:34 am-
