The government will commission a study on how to streamline the state payroll to reflect international and European standards, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Friday, as he discussed the government’s budget before plenum.
Taking the stand, Keravnos told deputies the government would take two measures aimed at containing the state payroll.
Friday’s plenum discussion marks the first budget to go to parliament under the government of President Nikos Christodoulides, where the finance minister sought to stress that amidst uncertainty, the Cypriot economy remains resilient and strong.
He described the country’s economic performance as satisfactory but underlined “we will not be complacent.”
Commenting on how the “inelastic expenditure” of the state payroll could be contained, Keravnos said that in the beginning of every year, the finance ministry would present to cabinet every new job opening deemed necessary.
This would be substantiated with documentation and would require cabinet’s approval.
Additionally, instructions have been issued to commission an external body to carry out a study on streamlining the state payroll on the basis of international and European standards.
This is an important first step to ensure that in the medium and long term there is not a continuous trend of increase in the state payroll he said.
Keravnos reiterated the governments commitment to stable and sustainable growth in the context of fiscal discipline and financial stability. This trifecta is also the governments standing policy, he said.
Ahead of the debate on foreclosures, the minister said passing the package of measures tabled by the government “will be crucial for the smooth and healthy course of our economy.
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