Filenews 23 June 2024 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Cyprus may be investing heavily in reforms in various areas of the state service and the economy, as they are expected to contribute to more effective administration and the strengthening of the rule of law, but, when they need to be implemented, they are either implemented late, or differentiated along the way under the state of opposition, or never implemented.
Before the state and society today is the reform of the Public Service, Local Government and the Judicial System.
The reform of the Public Service, although approved in January 2022 and implemented this year, its key parameters, such as evaluations of civil servants and interdepartmental promotions, face serious problems.
Looking for reviews
In relation to the new evaluation system, there are many reactions, which is why DIKO, EDEK and DIPA have submitted a proposal for a law to revise the weight of the evaluation criterion.
Under the new evaluation system, this year the evaluation of employees will receive 45 points. However, with the draft law, which seems to address some legal issues, it is foreseen that this year the evaluation will receive only up to 15 points and up to 25 points the recommendation of the supervisor for the employee. Up to 30 credits will be assessed for additional experience and qualifications.
In 2025, under the proposed law, the assessment will be scored up to 30 points based on the grade in the 2023 and 2024 annual service reports, up to 20 points for the recommendation of the supervisor and up to 25 points for experience and qualifications.
In 2026, the current system is expected to return and evaluation will receive up to 45 points, up to 15 points for the recommendation of a supervisor and up to 20 points for experience and qualifications.
Despite the effort made by the Parliament, a possible approval of the draft law may cause many legal issues, as for those promotions that take place before the adoption of the law, the evaluation criterion will receive 45 points, as provided for by the new system that has been implemented. On the other hand, any promotions implemented after the new legislation promoted by the parties, the evaluation will receive 15 points.
However, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has already started the procedures for filling the posts with the new system. The different weight of the evaluation may put the state in legal trouble, so look for a way to remove the obstacles. Next week the scene will be cleared as the bill will be put back to the Finance Committee. However, although initially the Government agreed with the draft law, however, because a long time has passed since the law was implemented, it is now concerned.
Delay in interdepartmental
Another aspect of the reform that is long overdue is interdepartmental promotions, which many civil servants did not take kindly to from the outset.
In this case, the delay is due to the non-approval of the 250 new service plans requested by the Government. Specifically, 175 service plans are before the Legislature, which have been discussed in the competent parliamentary committee. Another 61 service plans are in the Council of Ministers, while six more remain to be seen.
The government side hopes Parliament will approve them before mid-July, when it adjourns for the summer recess. It should be noted that, in order for the service plans to be approved, the National Health Service must announce the positions, decide on the examination centers and the candidates must sit written examinations. In the best-case scenario, if the service plans are approved next month, the NHS will have less than five months to go. It will therefore have to move swiftly in order to be able to implement the interdepartmental promotions within the year.
The Ministry of Finance, in accordance with the strategic framework for fiscal policy, stresses that the reforms to achieve the modernization of the Public Service aim to increase productivity and strengthen meritocracy, with the ultimate goal of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Service. In addition, he notes that the planned promotion of flexible working arrangements in the Public Service, based on European standards, as well as the development of digital solutions for public services are a key parameter for increasing the operational effectiveness and efficiency of public administration.
They change Local Government
In relation to the reform of Local Government, which will start to be implemented on July 1, last Thursday the Parliament approved new legislation, which is believed to improve the new legal framework. In the meantime, new changes to the legislation are expected to follow. It is noted that there is great concern that there will be many problems with the good morning of the reform.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the continuous support of the effective operation of the new operating framework of Local Government, the immediate recognition of any malfunctions, as well as the sectors and regulations that require further improvement and the taking of appropriate corrective measures, are important priorities of the state.
The ultimate goal is the existence of economically viable local authorities, with enhanced administrative capacity and autonomy, along with the strengthening of accountability and internal control, so that Local Government is able to offer a wider range of services in a more efficient, effective and qualitative way, to respond promptly and with reduced administrative burden to the needs of citizens and businesses and to create a better environment for citizens.
The long-awaited reform of the judiciary
At the same time, justice reform is underway which aims to build a modernised, accessible and efficient justice system.
Among the actions is the establishment of new courts such as the Court of Appeal, which began operating in July last year. The Court of Appeal will act as a catalyst in accelerating the adjudication of the backlog of cases, while the establishment of the new Commercial Court and the Admiralty Court will help to further enhance Cyprus' image as an international business centre.
In addition, the approval by the Supreme Court and their implementation last September of the new Rules of Civil Procedure is, among other things, a very important tool in speeding up the time taken to hear cases. Other important projects include the operation of the School of Judges aiming at the continuous and lifelong training of judges and officers of the judicial service, contributing to the creation of an efficient judicial system.
The digitalisation of courts, with the introduction of e-justice and digital record-keeping, are priority actions to improve the judicial system and should also help achieve the objective of reducing case times. In addition, the strengthening of the organisational structure of the Judicial Service and the administrative sector is promoted.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the successful implementation of these measures is expected to result in the improvement of the administration of justice in Cyprus, will contribute to strengthening its competitiveness and attracting foreign investment.
