Alternative civil service to be regulated by special law

The Government approved at its last session the draft law on alternative civil service, which was submitted to Parliament for consideration. The draft law defines the civil service as a voluntary and socially useful state service, representing an alternative to Moldovan citizens who have religious, ethical, moral, humanitarian beliefs that contradict military service. The civil service shall enrol men, citizens of Moldova, aged 18 to 27. Exempted from the civil service are the following: the citizen who served in the military forces; those whose father/mother, brother/sister, died during the military service or civil service; clergymen, monks, students in theological higher institutions; disabled people who shall confirm disability with medical expertise. The civil service duration is of 18 months, and this period is considered as work experience. The civil service shall be performed in public institutions or commercial enterprises that operate on national territory, in social or medical assistance sectors, industrial constructions, municipality, roads or railways, environment protection, as well as in special systems of the civil service (rescuers, firemen, and constructions). The central authority of the civil service is the Civil Service Centre subordinated to the Government. The citizen who is willing to be exempted from military service and be enrolled in civil service shall personally hand in an application to the civil service representative, within a month before the national enrolment is held. The employer of a civil service agent shall transfer monthly to the state budget 25% of his net wage. The citizens who will evade civil service shall be held accountable.