Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Cash-strapped army cuts back on jobs

The Swiss army has frozen recruitment of new personnel to curb budget shortfalls.

A moratorium by the Defence Minister Ueli Maurer has been issued saying vacant posts will not be filled and recruiting steps underway will be suspended, said army spokesman Christoph Brunner.

Both military and civilian jobs were affected. The army is worried it will not be able to pay its bills.

Brunner said the defence ministry was hopeful the cabinet would grant extra funds to cover personnel costs and fill the budget gap this year. Without it, logistical problems could ensue.

The Swiss army has an annual budget of just under SFr4 billion ($3.75 billion).

swissinfo.ch and agencies

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR