It is launching the inter-agency task force established to reform the … reform of the civil service. The committee consists of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Civil Service Commission, and PASYDY, and the first item on the agenda is the abolition of cross-departmental promotions.
“We are in the process of discussing the issue; there appears to be a consensus on the matter, but we have not yet finalized our position to present recommendations to the President of the Republic. We expect to reach a final decision by the end of September and to present specific—and, if possible, unanimous—proposals to the President of the Republic.”
Stratis Matthaiou – General Secretary of PASYDY
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Stratis Matthaiou points out that cross-departmental promotions in the civil service bring nothing but disruption and deregulation. Essentially, through these promotions, an employee from one agency or ministry can apply for a promotion to grade A13 in another agency or ministry. Those applying for positions at grade A13 and above must take exams, such as aptitude tests and written exams at testing centers, and then undergo an oral exam before the Public Service Commission.
“The expertise that is built up is lost because an A13 position is not a managerial one. You’re on the front lines, enforcing the department’s legislation and handling issues. Someone coming from another agency cannot be expected to lead existing staff, including junior staff, and make decisions. The time it takes for someone to settle into a department, combined with these transfers from one department to another, ultimately works to the detriment of the civil service.”
Stratis Matthaiou
There are also issues, notes the Secretary-General of PASYDY, that do not require legislative regulation. One of these is that exams should be tailored to the level of General Director or Department Director, so that people who can lead and possess the appropriate skills for the position are selected.
Watch the report by Kleio Vourkou:
