public sector

Our View: State bureaucratic inefficiency is a running joke

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Our View: State bureaucratic inefficiency is a running joke

– Bureaucratic inefficiency in state services leads to delays in processing citizens’ applications.
– Almost 20,000 applications are pending at town planning authorities and 100,000 cases are open at Lands and Surveys offices.
– Applications for benefits and pensions take months to be processed.
– Deputies are spending 80% of their time dealing with citizens’ application delays.
– Interior Minister attributes delays to incomplete forms, understaffing, and poor digitalization.
– Evaluation of public employees is unrelated to deliverables and meeting targets.
– Government has failed to improve service to citizens due to fear of Pasydy, lack of service culture, and slow digitalization.
– Christodoulides government has not taken significant action to improve service to citizens.

Greek economy surges after decade of pain

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Greek economy surges after decade of pain

Fact: The Greek economy is forecast to grow nearly 3 per cent this year, approaching its pre-crisis size of 2009 and far outpacing the eurozone average of 0.8 per cent.

Our View: Auditor-general overstepping his position in opposing pension bills

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Our View: Auditor-general overstepping his position in opposing pension bills

Fact: The auditor-general, Odysseas Michaelides, issued a public statement criticizing the opinion given by the Legal Service on government bills dealing with multiple pensions and retirement age, implying that the government was behaving unethically.

MPs focus on making online state services more accessible

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MPs focus on making online state services more accessible

The House ethics committee discussed making online state services more accessible for digitally illiterate individuals. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou aims to simplify procedures to reduce delays and improve communication between departments and the public. Changes have been made to speed up processes at the urban planning department and Land Registry. The Department of Road Transport is expected to be fully digitized by June 2025. Measures are being taken to assist citizens who have difficulty with online applications. Labor Minister Yiannis Panayiotou highlighted improvements in streamlining services, such as faster pension payments and increased call center efficiency.

Chapter 8: Tax Fairness for Every Generation

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Chapter 8: Tax Fairness for Every Generation

Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. For generations, this has meant Canada is a place where everyone could secure a better future for themselves and their children. This is in no small part is due to our commitment to progressive taxation, investments in Canada’s strong social safety net, and an effective, … Read more

Keravnos targets enrichment of economic model

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Keravnos targets enrichment of economic model

Fact: The finance minister of Cyprus, Makis Keravnos, emphasized the importance of enriching Cyprus’ economic model and maintaining investment levels as part of the government’s economic policy.

Our View: There can be no consultation on civil service sick leave

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Our View: There can be no consultation on civil service sick leave

The government of Cyprus is proposing new regulations to standardize sick leave in the public sector, reducing annual sick leave from 42 to 28 days and sick days without a doctor’s certificate from 8 to 6. Unions are opposing these changes and calling for broader consultations, which the government believes will prevent the regulations from being updated or standardized. The government argues that the abuses of sick leave entitlement are costly to the taxpayer and should be addressed through imposition of regulations rather than prolonged dialogue with unions.

CI raises Cyprus outlook on lower fiscal risk, better NPLs

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CI raises Cyprus outlook on lower fiscal risk, better NPLs

Capital Intelligence has revised upwards the sovereign ratings for Cyprus due to a faster than projected decline in general government debt, consistent primary fiscal surpluses, proactive debt management, progress in clearing up non-performing loans in the banking system, and declining government contingent liabilities from the banking sector.

Our View: Government must listen to reason over relief measures

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Our View: Government must listen to reason over relief measures

The IMF was critical of the government’s decision to extend ‘horizontal’ support measures, such as zero VAT and electricity bill subsidies, despite advising against it. The IMF expressed concerns that these measures could negatively affect public finances and undermine efforts to control inflation. The IMF also recommended avoiding indexing adjustments of wages, particularly in the public sector, to reflect macroeconomic developments and productivity increases.

Positive outlook for Cyprus economy, according to rating agency

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Positive outlook for Cyprus economy, according to rating agency

Capital Intelligence Ratings has revised its long-term foreign currency rating outlook for the Republic of Cyprus from stable to positive. The government’s debt has been reduced due to consistent primary fiscal surpluses and proactive debt management.