Civilian service boosts numbers
The number of applications to join Switzerland's civilian service has increased significantly over the first half of 2008.
The period of duty for conscientious objectors is 50 per cent longer than the mandatory regular service in the militia army.
The economics ministry said there were 991 requests, an 18 per cent rise compared with the same period last year. Some 3.6 per cent of applicants were refused.
A total of 12,103 people were eligible to do civilian service as of the end of June.
Around 35,000 days of service were performed during the month, representing a new record since the introduction of civilian service 12 years ago.
The ministry said the 1,841 recognised institutions, which offer opportunities were sufficient to cope with the sudden rise in the number of people performing civilian service.
The application process is to be streamlined next year, as experts will no longer screen conscientious objectors.
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