CYPRUS
The Cypriot Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) has criticised the rising number of Public Servants initially employed on time-limited contracts who have been converted to permanency.
The AGO said it believed the actual number was far higher than figures supplied by the Department of Public Administration and Personnel (DPAP), which maintains data only for employees in Departments and Ministries.
This has led to an argument between the two Agencies.
Official data put the number at 74, but this does not include employees at semi-Government organisations and municipalities.
The AGO said the issue may prove to be more serious after relevant information is obtained from these entities.
It gave as an example the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, where six such cases have been reported, with another 10 under review.
The AGO said the practice could result in a detrimental impact on public finances and has recommended the establishment of a special registry for contractors at semi-Governmental organisations and municipalities.
However, the DPAP said it would take no action on the registry as these organisations did not fall within its competencies.
The AGO rejected this argument, saying that as the practice was resulting in an extra cost burden to the state — either directly or indirectly — the Ministry did have a responsibility.
“The Auditor-General believes this matter is the responsibility of the Ministry since the state will be burdened with additional costs either directly or through state subsidies,” the AGO said.
Nicosia, 18 October 2019
