The discussion on a government bill that would lift the ban on filling vacant public sector positions with permanent staff will begin on Monday in the Parliamentary Committee on Finance. The measure, initially imposed in 2013 during the financial crisis, has restricted hiring processes for over a decade.

The proposed legislation removes the requirement for written approval from the Finance Committee to fill an entry-level vacancy, enabling faster and more flexible hiring procedures.

According to the bill’s explanatory report, the Department of Public Administration and Personnel at the Ministry of Finance evaluated the effectiveness of the hiring freeze. Their findings indicate that maintaining the restriction has led to an increase in non-permanent employees and the conversion of fixed-term contract workers into indefinite-term employees. This outcome, the report states, contradicts the government's policy of meeting public service needs through permanent staffing.

Additionally, lifting the ban is expected to reduce administrative costs associated with submitting hiring requests, their evaluation by the Department of Public Administration and Personnel, and the final approval process by the Minister of Finance.

Trade unions PASYDY, OHO-SEK, and SIDHEKEK-PEO have expressed support for the bill in a joint statement, emphasizing the urgency of its adoption. They argue that further delays in filling entry-level positions are causing operational inefficiencies across various public services and leading to inadequate service for citizens.