The decision of the guilds of AHK to go on strike today creates an unnecessary inconvenience to our fellow citizens and as the Ministry of Finance we express our displeasure. As the Government we are taking steps to normalise the situation.
The guilds of the AHK accuse the Government of not acting for the proper staffing of the organisation. Nothing more untrue. On the contrary, as part of the AHK's 2021 budget submission, a request for the creation of 80 new positions was approved. Additionally, as part of the Agency's 2022 Supplemental Budget submission, 146 positions were approved. The allocation of 146 positions, through the AEC's 2022 Supplemental Budget, fully satisfies the staffing needs of the AEC according to our analysis and that of the Ministry of Energy.
In addition, and with regard to the alleged, on the part of the AHK's Guilds, shortage of staff due to non-timely replacement, it is noted that, according to relevant data, 12.2% of the Agency's 2,329 positions were vacant and the AHK's request for an additional 375 positions, under the Authority's Supplementary Budget for 2022, resulted in a 17% increase in its staffing capacity. Furthermore, it is stressed that the creation of 375 new posts would inevitably lead to an increase in the operating costs of the Authority and in the electricity consumption billing prices, in a difficult period for the Cypriot consumer.
The continuous creation of new posts is neither the only nor the ideal answer to the problems related to the workload faced by the Authority. The Authority has to find other ways of dealing with the workload such as the modernisation and redesign of the procedures for submission, receipt, evaluation, design, costing, implementation and inspection of applications submitted by citizens and businesses. The Government has also recommended the digitisation and interconnection of these procedures, the introduction of automation and intensive training of existing staff in new technologies. In addition, use should be made of the recommendations made by the NFC to simplify and speed up the procedures for connecting photovoltaic systems, for example through the adoption of the institution of self-checking by the private sector. Another demand of the guilds concerns their insistence on maintaining the monopoly in the inspection of electrical installations, but also the devaluation of the ability of other companies and/or organizations to offer similar services, constantly underestimating the abilities of entrepreneurs, and making it difficult to do business in a difficult period.
Regarding the continuation of the operation of the Dhekelia Power Plant (EPP) and the accusations of alleged inaction, the Ministry's position is that it should be ensured It will be recalled that AHK decided to install the sixth unit at the Vasilikos Generating Station (PS) instead of the Dhekelia PS, despite the Ministry's urgings in the opposite direction at the time. To resolve the issue, the Government is taking all necessary steps while fully respecting the autonomy of the organisation.
With regard to the request for the exclusion of AEC and its staff from the scope of the new Occupational Pension Benefit Plan, it is recalled that the Government, while respecting the labour institutions and the system of industrial relations, for the purpose of finalising the provisions of the relevant Framework Agreement with the trade unions in the public sector, has consulted with the trade unions representing the majority of employees, in particular the representatives of the ACE and the PEA. Consequently, the request for an exemption is an attempt to withdraw from what has already been agreed and constitutes an act of annulment of the signing of the relevant Framework Agreement. It should further be noted that the request of the AEC for exemption from the new Pension Plan also runs up against a legal obstacle, since, according to an opinion of the Attorney General of the Republic, the Bill concerning the new Pension Plan is of universal application and, therefore, it is not possible to exclude a specific group of employees from its scope.
Finally, as regards the allegations of obstruction of AHK's activities in renewable energy sources (RES), it is stressed that the Ministry has never had a negative attitude towards the expansion of AHK's activities in RES, provided that this would take place at the same time as the gradual withdrawal of old and polluting conventional generation and would be accompanied by the development of the electricity grids, so as to allow unhindered third-party involvement in RES generation, thus enhancing competition for the benefit of the consumer and, consequently, fully liberalising the market. AHK's position is aimed at safeguarding its monopoly status to the detriment of the economy and consumers. Besides, after consultation between the Ministry and AHK, the Ministry forwarded AHK's plan to RAEK, which includes the installation of renewable energy systems with a capacity of 500-600 MW, with a ten-year horizon until 2032.
I believe that these strikes and these demands at this time constitute a great invitation to the taxpayer and our fellow citizens, many of whom are facing difficulties. They are trying to take advantage of an election period to reap guild benefits. This behavior is unacceptable.
(BG/EXP)
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