It is decisive for Sweden's defense – but when they are to be trained and exercised on the task, it can be a problem from the employer.
The voluntary defense organizations, such as the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defense Corps and the Motor Corps, have grown significantly in Sweden in recent years and their members are seen as an important part of the total defense.
"Everyone (MSB, the Swedish Armed Forces, and politicians) says that it's important with voluntary work, but in practice it's a challenge for many," writes Kristoffer Bäckström, communications officer at the Defense Educators, in an email response to TT.
One has a legally mandated right to be on leave for training and education if one has been mobilized for war. But before that, or if one is being educated for the civilian defense, it can be no from the employer.
The instructors who are to conduct the training are usually also voluntary and lack a legally mandated right to leave. Bilkaren's general secretary Eva Blomqvist experiences that employers are less positively inclined to grant instructors leave.
She calls for a common view on education in total defense.
She is supported by the Swedish Women's Voluntary Defense Corps (SLK) general secretary Anna Nubäck.
SLK advises its members to engage in dialogue with the employer and emphasize what they can bring back in the form of employees with new skills, says communications officer Maria Öst.
Someone who has been educated for a position in the Home Guard participates in annual exercises and has the right to leave to serve in the Swedish Armed Forces. The right is regulated by law (1994:2076) on protection of employment during certain service within total defense, etc.
If someone wants to educate themselves to later be able to conclude an agreement with the Home Guard, there is no right to leave for the education itself.
The same applies to other service of a more voluntary nature, which lies outside the individual's service agreement with the respective organization. The employer can naturally grant leave anyway.
