Here are some of the key points of
Italy's civil service reforms, which were approved by the Senate
on Tuesday:
- NEW RULES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES EXECUTIVES. It will be possible
to lay off managers if they receive negative reviews. To avoid
leaving completely they will have the option of being demoted to
a lower position. Positions will no longer be awarded for life
but rather for four years, renewable for an additional two. They
will be withdrawn in cases of conviction from the Audit Court
(an entire extra article has been added on the accounting
process).
- ALL MANAGERS IN THE SAME CATEGORY. There will be just one
category of manager (still distinguished on the levels of state,
regional and local) but no longer distinguished between first
and second tier. There will be a 10% quota for external hires.
The role of the town clerk has been abolished.
- CONTESTS FOR JOBS, NO MINIMUM GRADE. There will no longer be a
minimum university grade below which candidates are excluded
from public selections. The aim is to focus more on evaluation
of candidates during on-site assessments. Tests will always
include assessment of English language ability.
- EASIER FIRING. After disciplinary action, procedures must be
seen through to the end without excluding contract termination.
Reinstatement may still be possible under Article 18 of the
labor statute which protects workers from unfair dismissal.
- CRACKDOWN ON FAKE SICK LEAVE. Monitoring functions and related
resources will pass to the local health service from INPS
national pensions and social security fund. A council has been
created to decide on hiring of disabled workers.
- REDUCTION OF POLICE FORCES. The forest rangers will be merged
with another police corps, reducing the current five different
Italian police forces to four. A reorganisation of all the
forces is also planned.
- PENSIONERS CAN WORK FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE. Pensioners can
still work for the civil service as long as they do not get paid
for it. Pensioners taking executive or managerial posts can only
do so for a maximum of one year. The rest can work longer.
- PUBLICLY-HELD COMPANIES TO BE REDUCED. Companies in which the
public is a shareholder will be reduced. Companies that provide
public services of general interest will only be allowed to
operate in the red a set number of times before they are put
into administration. Extra benefits to managers will be
contingent on performance. The number of Chambers of Commerce
will be halved.
- PREFECTURES TO BE REDUCED. Prefectures to be reduced by up to
half. Those that remain will become part of the territorial
office of the state, which will be the sole point of contact
between citizens and the public administration.
- RED TAPE CUTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS. Cuts to bureaucracy in order
to simplify and accelerate the paperwork in cases of significant
production plants, general-interest works, or operations that
will generate jobs.
- DISPUTE RESOLUTION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIONS. In the case of
disagreements between central administration bodies, the prime
minister will have the final decision, after a discussion in a
ministerial meeting.
- CUTS TO DECREE PROCEDURES. Cuts aim to unravel a tangle of
delays that prevent swift implementation of measures.
- POWERS OF PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE. The roles of the prime
minister's office will be clarified to keep operations focused.
- CHARTER AND NEW LEADER FOR DIGITAL CIVIL SERVICE. Introduction
of "digital citizenship card". Government to define the quality
of online services. A manager will be appointed to direct
digital transformation.
- BILLS BY SMS. Payments to public administration, such as bills
and fines, will be possible via telephone credit as long as they
are small sums. The payment will be possible via sms.
- ITALIAN FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. Everyone will have the
right to access public administration documents and data via the
Web. Public archives will be available online, with some limits.
- ONE EMERGENCY NUMBER. People will be able to dial 112 in the
case of any type of emergency, rather than the array of numbers
that exist at present for different situations. The idea is to
create regional centres that can connect callers with relevant
services.
- JUST ONE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT. The motor registry
will be transferred to the transport ministry. There are plans
to have just one database for circulation and property, with
just one registration document.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
