Zivildienst

As such, it is exempt from the general ban of forced labor by the European Convention on Human Rights.

The drafted person to "Zivildienst" is "Zivildiener" in Austria and "Zivildienstleistender" in Switzerland, commonly called "Zivi" in both countries.

The Federal Office for Alternative Civilian Service (German: Bundesamt für den Zivildienst) was the responsible government office for petitions along with an essay describing their reasons, the applicants had to fill in to become recognized objectors (German: anerkannter Kriegsdienstverweigerer), who then are able to fulfill "Zivildienst".

In Austria, since 1975 the Zivildienst is provided as an alternative for conscientious objectors to the draft for military service.

Because of the upcoming years with a low birth rate, by 2021 the Austrian government will draft every male citizen, without physical or intellectual disability to have the maximum number of men available for "Zivildienst".