Nearly 75% of that time was spent on social and health work. About 10% went towards environmental and conservation tasks, and the remainder were spent on jobs related to education, culture, agriculture and emergencies. The breakdown was similar to that of the previous year, but there were more courses offered – especially related to childcare.
However, to ensure that there are enough soldiers in the military, the Swiss government wants to make civilian service less attractive. Last November, the Federal Council asked the Department of Economic Affairs to draw up measures for reducing the number of permits granted for conscripted recruits to do civilian rather than military service.
A consultation draft is expected by this coming autumn.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
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Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
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Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
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2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
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The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
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More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
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Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
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At the start of next year, the Swiss Armed Forces will shrink its reserves down to 100,000 troops and its training will be shortened by three weeks.
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