Different approaches regarding the timing of the implementation of the new civil service hiring system were noted in the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, which continued on Monday, pursuant to discussion of the relevant bills.
The Ministry of Finance seeks to implement the new system starting in 2027, while the Public Service Commission (PSC) estimates that this will be feasible starting in 2028, mainly due to the time required to make the necessary changes to its computer system.
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Elena Azina, Director of the Department of Public Administration and Personnel, told the Committee that the Ministry considers the implementation of the new system in 2027 to be feasible. The EDY, however, expressed reservations, as it is estimated that 12 to 18 months will be required to adapt the software.
The Chair of the Finance Committee, DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou, called on the Ministry of Finance and the EDY to meet along with those responsible for the infrastructure, in order to exhaust all possibilities for finding a mutually acceptable solution and enable the implementation of the new system in 2027.
On behalf of the Ministry of Finance, it was also noted that, in the event the new system is not implemented in 2027, the lists of positions to be advertised are ready and, if necessary, will be forwarded to the House of Representatives.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides, in a statement following the session, stated that the government should clarify as soon as possible how public service hiring will take place in 2027, since, as he said, “in three days it will be October,” and to date there is no clear guidance regarding the exams.
The AKEL MP noted that this uncertainty affects citizens’ rights and creates uncertainty among potential candidates who wish to take the exams and compete for a position in the civil service.
“It is the government’s responsibility to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” he said, adding that if the new system is not implemented and the existing one must remain in place, the government exams will have to be held in November.
Mr. Pasiourtidis emphasized that time is of the essence and that the issue must be resolved immediately so that candidates awaiting the opportunity to compete for admission to the civil service.
DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelidis stated after the session that the Ministry of Finance still needs to submit revised texts, which will include the changes decided upon by the Committee during the debate.
As he noted, the entire Committee is committed to ensuring that the new process is merit-based and balanced, with particular emphasis on speed and transparency. At the same time, he noted that the government should inform candidates in a timely manner about the exams and the exam material. He expressed the hope that this goal would be achieved to the greatest extent possible.
Regarding the effective date of the new legislation, Mr. Pantelidis said that this remains the point of contention, as the Ministry of Finance insists on its implementation starting in 2027, while the EDY has expressed reservations about whether this is feasible for purely technical reasons.
“We are listening to both sides and will then decide when it will be implemented,” he said, emphasizing that the Committee’s goal is to pass a framework that can be applied in practice.
Source: CNA
