Arsic: Cut in number of public sector employeesalmost certain

”A cut in the number of public sector employees is almost certain, and it can total 10 to 15 percent in the next two years”

”A cut in the number of public sector employees is almost certain, and it can total 10 to 15 percent in the next two years because the forthcoming fiscal consolidation measures are expected to make room for fairly small savings”, economic expert and professor at the Belgrade Faculty of Economics Milojko Arsic stated on Thursday.

Analysts say that dismissals in the public sector are necessary, but their assessments are based on unofficial data because official statistics have not been presented yet, Arsic said at the presentation of the latest edition of the Quarterly Monitor economic magazine.

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’’According to the latest assessments available to the public, the public sector in Serbia employs around 770,000-780,000 people, of whom 540,000-550,000 are employed in the government sector, while the remaining 230,000-240,000 are employed in public enterprises’’, Arsic noted.

In 2015 and 2016, the number of public sector employees will probably be reduced by 10-15 percent, he noted and added that the problem of surplus employees needs to be separated from other problems such as the so-called employment on political grounds.

Employment on grounds of party membership needs to be curbed and the promotion system also needs to be improved, Arsic said.

’’In Serbia’s public sector over the past few years, there has been a visible trend for party members to be promoted instead the most capable employees, and nepotism is even more pronounced’’, Arsic said.

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The government has to ensure an adequate number of doctors, teachers, taxmen and police officers per each 100 citizens, Arsic said and added that Serbia’s public sector does not employ more people compared to other countries.

’’A total of 7.6 in 100 people are employed in the public sector in Serbia, which is at about the same level as recorded in European countries and OECD countries where 7.7 out of 100 citizens are employed in the public sector’’, said Arsic.

Source B92

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