Strengthening the militia system - successful campaign

The militia system is part of Switzerland's DNA. It serves the common good and promotes the exchange of knowledge between professional and community life, as the SGAS emphasized. However, the Swiss seem to be less and less willing to sacrifice their free time to volunteer or get involved in associations, the organization laments. "We see the same thing when it comes to finding members for our various militia committees," explains Christian Wyssmüller, President of the SGAS. The reasons given include a lack of support from employers and the need to take on these tasks in their free time.

Sensitize companies

The Declaration of the SGAS should serve as a reminder to counteract the threats to the militia system. It should make companies more aware of the issue and encourage them to take concrete measures to support employees who want to get involved.

With 31 co-signatories representing more than 4 million employees, the result of the SGAS campaign exceeded their expectations, writes the organization. These include the most important employers' and trade union associations, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), large companies and leading representatives in the field of prevention, occupational safety and health protection. The SGAS is pleased that several co-signatory companies have introduced a number of best practices to pursue the goal.

Federalism obliges

At a political level, however, the Federal Council's response to an interpellation takes the view that improving the framework conditions in the cantons and with the municipal authorities is primarily a matter for the cantons and municipalities, according to the SGAS. "Federalism is an obligation, everyone shifts responsibility to each other, but we need the support of Parliament. We have used this campaign to sensitize several parliamentarians to this issue and motivate them to take action. The militia system is an asset, we must take care of it," warns Christian Wyssmüller.

The SGAS

The Swiss Society for Occupational Safety (SGAS) is an association of around 1800 specialists (safety engineers, safety officers and coordinators) who professionally promote safety and health protection in the workplace. The SGAS aims in particular to promote safety in all areas of life, but especially in the workplace, as well as vocational training and to enable members to fulfill their function under the best possible conditions. It also aims to improve the recognition of their roles and qualifications.

www.sgas.ch