"Regarding Brussels' alleged request to lay off 25% of public sector employees, we would like to announce that there is no explicit request for a percentage reduction in the total number of current employees. The European Commission has continuously pointed to the need for public administration reform, but not with a focus on reducing the number of employees, but on strengthening the functional and professional capacities of the administration," the MPA said.
The MPA points out that this is supported by the fact that around 40% of the final benchmarks in negotiations with the EU relate precisely to strengthening administrative capacities, in order to successfully close the negotiation chapters, but also so that Montenegro would be able to assume and implement the obligations arising from EU membership. It is logical that strengthening administrative capacities does not go hand in hand with radical layoffs of employees, as could be concluded from the above text.
Therefore, the MPA adds, we are talking about the transformation of the public administration of a candidate country for full EU membership. This includes readiness to manage cohesion funds, efficient implementation of European legislation, active participation in EU bodies and agencies, as well as conducting public policies in accordance with European Union rules and practices.
The Government of Montenegro, according to the MPA, following the obligations from the final benchmarks, has conducted a detailed assessment of all new jobs needed to comply with EU requirements.
"The analysis showed that the greatest needs are in the area of border protection, primarily in strengthening the capacities of the border police, but also in the food safety sector, phytosanitary affairs and customs. Significant employment is also expected in the area of the rule of law, both at the government level and in judicial institutions. Strengthening capacities is necessary in the agricultural sector as well as in the IT sector. Several hundred new jobs relate to the management of EU funds," the Government states.
They emphasize that capacity planning is carried out in direct communication with the European Commission, and for most negotiation chapters, special action plans are developed to strengthen human resources capacities, which must receive the opinion of the European Commission, which makes the process well-founded and transparent and significantly narrows the scope for abuse.
"In the context of employee qualifications, it is important to emphasize that the Ministry of Public Administration has already taken concrete and systematic steps towards improving the quality of personnel. The introduction of the competency framework has improved the recruitment process, as well as the broader management of human resources in the state administration," the MPA states.
In addition, they add, in parallel, a whole series of activities aimed at strengthening administrative capacities for EU integration have been carried out, which were recognized as a challenge at the beginning of this Government's mandate, and which are actually EC requirements in the context of human resources management and administrative capacities. Positive steps have been made, which was noted in mutual communication with the EC. Also, in order to optimize and achieve the goal of having the right people in the right place, the institute of permanent assignment within the public administration is being used significantly, which is one of the novelties of the new Law on Civil Servants and Employees.
"Through numerous programs implemented in public administration, including the Ready4EU program, civil servants are enabled to acquire specific knowledge and skills necessary for work in the institutions, agencies and advisory bodies of the European Union, which further builds the long-term readiness of the Montenegrin administration for membership," the MPA states.
All these measures, they point out, clearly demonstrate that the focus of the reform is on strengthening the quality and functionality of public administration, and not on a linear reduction in the number of employees. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all stakeholders, including the media, demonstrate a greater level of understanding of the European integration process.
"Before making such serious claims, it is necessary to consult official data and objectives of relevant institutions, so that the public is accurately and responsibly informed about one of the most important strategic topics for Montenegro," the Ministry of Public Administration concluded in a statement.
