By creating jobs in sectors including food security, elder care, and environmental prevention, proponents of the "citizen service initiative" in the referendum that ends on Sunday seek to strengthen social solidarity.
The plan is heavily opposed by Parliament, mostly due to financial concerns and worries that it may cripple the economy by removing tens of thousands of young people from the workforce.
At a time when concerns about potential interruptions and the potential fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine are prevalent, the vote provides insight into how the European public feels about required national duty.
"Clouds are building in the sky over a Switzerland that is breaking apart. On the one hand, there are risks of energy shortages or conflict in Europe, cyberattacks, floods in the plains, and landslides in the mountains. However, the activists contended that conflicts and loneliness are increasing along with individuality.
"By proposing a national service for all young people, the initiative responds to exactly what we need: that everybody takes responsibility to work for a stronger Switzerland that's able to stand up to crises," they stated.
The administration retorted that since the army and civil defense already had a sufficient number of personnel, no more should be hired.
The government stated that although mandatory military service for women could be viewed as "a step toward gender equality," it would "place an extra burden on many women, who already shoulder a large part of the unpaid work of raising and caring for children and relatives, as well as household tasks."
"Because equality in the workplace and in society is still not a reality, requiring women to perform civic service would not constitute progress in terms of equality," it stated.
In Switzerland, young men are already obliged to serve in the military or enlist in civic protection units. Other forms of service are available to conscientious objectors, and those who completely choose not to participate must pay an exemption fee.
The project would apply the idea of national security to areas other than military service or civil protection and mandate national service for all Swiss residents, although women are now able to participate voluntarily.
Approximately 35,000 men participate in required duty each year, which costs the government almost 1 billion Swiss francs (almost $1.25 billion) in insurance and funding.
If the legislation were approved, the cost and headcount would nearly double. Additionally, the bill would allow parliament to mandate public service for foreign nationals residing in Switzerland.
