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SuisseBetter pay women to encourage them to make the army
National advisers ask that people working at a low occupancy rate can gain more when they engage under flags.
Elected officials want household women and people working at a low occupancy rate to be better paid when they serve in the army (illustration photo).
DdpThe chief of the army Thomas Süssli had, in 2020, set as objective for 2030 that the staff of the Grande Muette were composed of 10% of women. Today, this objective seems almost utopian, since these represent only 1.5% of the military. For the national advisor Marcel Dobler (PLR/SG), the explanation is simple: the incentives to engage under the flags are insufficient.
The elected official points out in particular the almost derisory remuneration of people working at a low occupancy rate and women at home, explains the “Aargauer Zeitung”. As an example, he cites the case of a high ranking and mother of two children. Despite her investment and numerous hours dedicated to the army, she wins more than a young recruit, namely 69 francs per day of service.
Elected officials of all stripes are convinced
In view of this observation, the national councilor asks the Federal Council to act: “financial incentives must be put in place so that the pursuit of the military career is worth the sentence for women with a low occupancy rate.” He is supported in his approach by several other elected officials, of all stripes. “Counting more women in its ranks would do good to the army, especially in the positions of framework,” says Priska Seiler Graf (PS/ZH).
For its part, the Federal Council does not see any need to act. If he admits that better remuneration could encourage those concerned “to accomplish military service in a higher grade”, he recalls that the allowance for loss of gain is only a substitute for the income of a lucrative activity in civil life. This is why housewives are only entitled to a minimum rate.
