Recruitment fever is observed in the state machine in the summer. In the last 72 days, i.e. from June 1 to August 10, around 700 new hires have been made in the public sector.
The recruitment was made following a decision of the Public Service Commission (EDY), which offered appointment to the successful candidates.
According to data included on the EDY's website, most of the recruitments took place from August 3 to 10, with their number reaching 396. In July, 103 first appointment positions were filled, while in June there were 199 new hires. It is worth noting that, according to data from the EDY, many of the positions that were filled had opened several months earlier.
Shadows and question marks
Such a large number of new hires made in the public sector at the moment raises some questions. Especially the 396 new positions that were filled in just six working days in August create some shadows.
And this at a time when the Ministry of Finance has been making, as publicly stated, efforts for years to contain the state payroll, while at the same time sending messages to the other ministries for strict fiscal discipline, due to the uncertainty caused by external factors in the Cypriot economy.
A competent source told "F" that the procedure provided for in the legislation was followed. He also stressed that it is about filling vacancies and not about creating new positions.
It is noted that, according to the Ministry of Finance, through the 2026 state budget, a reduction in the total number of positions by 14 is achieved, for the second consecutive year.
Specifically, based on official data, 458 positions would be created this year, with the simultaneous abolition of 472 positions.
However, in recent years, during the preparation of state budgets, the Ministry of Finance notes that the Government's policy is to fill vacant positions with permanent staff, instead of temporary staff.
Location mapping
"F", obtaining data from the official page of the EDY, provides information on the positions that have been filled.
Specifically, of the 396 recruitments made in the first week of August by the EDY, 306 concern first appointment positions in various ministries, deputy ministries and public services and 90 concern prison guard positions.
The recruitment of the first week of August includes the filling of 150 permanent positions of assistant secretarial officer, which concern general secretarial staff in the Department of Public Administration and Personnel. It is worth noting that the specific positions had been announced since last March.
Also included are the 90 prison guard positions, which were filled through two different procedures. In addition, they concern 34 positions of assistant insurance officer in the Social Insurance Services, as well as 33 positions of technical engineers in Public Works.
In relation to the 103 new hires made in July, most of them concern the filling of vacant permanent technician positions in the Department of Road Transport. In addition, 15 permanent positions of Attachés in the External Services and 14 positions of institutional officers in the Social Welfare Services were filled.
In addition, the 199 new hires in the public sector made in June include, among others, 49 vacant permanent positions of interior officers at the Ministry of Interior, 14 permanent positions of cadastral clerk in the Land Registry Department, as well as 15 positions of assistant insurance officer in the Social Insurance Services.
The recruitment process
According to the legislation, recruitment for first appointment positions in the public service of Cyprus is done through the EDY. The process includes the electronic submission of an application, participation in written or special examinations, where necessary, and, finally, an oral interview before the Committee.
In detail, the Ministry of Finance forwards to the Parliament lists of the positions that will open next year. The lists, which are examined by the parliamentary Committee on Institutions and approved by the Plenary Session of the Parliament.
The SNS publishes the vacancies for the first appointment in the Official Journal and on its website. The notice includes the Service Plan, i.e. the required academic qualifications, experience, languages and any qualifications considered an advantage.
This is followed by the submission of the application, which is done electronically through the EDY and requires registration in the CY Login. The candidate must possess the required qualifications both at the end of the application deadline and when the appointment decision is taken.
For many positions, a previous pass in the government written examination is required. For positions A8 and above, an oral examination is carried out by the EDY, which decides on the appointments.
It should be noted that, if a position is not included in the annual lists of positions subject to government examinations, then the Advisory Committee is involved, which can organize a special written examination, oral examination or both.
