More attractive Active Reserves are a step closer to becoming a reality, the SVK Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the Conscription Amendment Act

The SVK Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the Conscription Amendment Act, whereby the soldiers in the reserves who have been transferred to the Active Reserves will undergo training to carry out tasks in the Armed Forces under more attractive conditions as from May 2018. The SVK Government gave its consent to the MOD-sponsored Conscription Amendment Act at the end of 2017 and it went through its first reading in Parliament in January 2018.

 
SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “The Active Reserves form an integral and integrated part of the defence system of our country, whilst at the same time being one of the priorities of the SVK MOD and the Slovak National Party Manifesto.” As the Minister further added, he believes the Amendment Act will help the Armed Forces meet the trained strength target for the Active Reserves.
 
 
The Amendment Act makes it possible for the MOD to reimburse salaries and travel costs incurred to and from a regular exercise not only to regular employees but also to the self-employed, as well to repay the costs incurred by employers for the payment of premiums for social and public health insurance.

Additionally, the Amendment Act enables the soldiers in the reserves – holding the rank one below or two higher than their own rank required for the specific positions to be assigned to – to join the Active Reserves. This allows more candidates to meet the set requirements and thus qualify for transfer to the Active Reserves.
 
Other new elements introduced are the provisions on non-attendance of active reservists at regular training and the obligation of active reservists to report changes in the conditions of their assignment to commanders. Finally, one change is that an active reservist is entitled to a commensurate part of rank-based pay only for the period of time spent on regular training or when performing tasks in favour of the SVK Armed Forces.