Now it’s up to the foreigners

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As more people are fit for military service, the number of civil protection personnel has been declining for years. Now the federal government has also asked the cantons how they can counter the problem.

The draft, which the Bundesrat submitted for consultation in January, provides for an extension of the duty of protection at work. Anyone who is conscripted but has not completed recruiting school (RS) by the age of 25 and is discharged from the military must again be subject to mandatory protection service. The cantons had until a few days ago to respond to the proposed amendment to the Population and Civil Protection Act.

The canton of Zug has now come up with an idea of ​​how to solve the problem: with the help of foreigners living in Switzerland. They should also be called in to ensure there are plenty of helping hands in case of a disaster, Zentralplus reports.

Proposed longer service

About 16 percent of the Swiss population consists of foreigners with a permanent residence permit, the canton argues in its response to the federal government. However, unlike Swiss men, foreign men are not subject to military or protective service.

“With the introduction of the mandatory protection service for foreign men with a settlement permit, the number of civil protection services could be expanded considerably,” Zug is sure. The canton therefore proposes to require foreign men to provide protective service as part of the revision of the law. Today, foreigners and women are already allowed to participate voluntarily in civil defense.

Zug also suggests addressing the problem by expanding civil defense conscription. Civil defense officers should remain in service until they are 40 years old and not just until they are 36, as is the case today.

Mandatory occasion for women

Other cantons are also looking for solutions. In the canton of Aargau, however, a different approach has been taken. There, Swiss women and foreign residents will have to attend an information meeting on civil protection in the future. This was decided by the cantonal parliament last year. This is intended to motivate more people to volunteer in civil protection. Residents who are not conscripted and who turn 23 in the current year are called up.

The half day safety event is mandatory – and will not be compensated. There is even a fine for truancy: anyone who does not show up for the information event after the second call will be fined CHF 500. (she)

Source:Blick