Italian Foreign Minister Federica
Mogherini on Thursday said Italian ambassadors' pay will feature
in the government's ongoing review of public spending.
"As part of the spending review, the foreign ministry has
proposed a total of 108 million euros in savings over three
years," Mogherini said.
"The interventions will include a revision of the economic
conditions of personnel abroad. There is widespread (public)
sensitivity about this and we are responding," she added,
referring to media reports highlighting the high pay of some
senior civil servants.
Premier Matteo Renzi's government is aiming to generate up
to five billion euros this year with the spending review.
It has also moved to cap the salaries of top public-sector
managers.
She said the cuts would also "come from reorganising of
the diplomatic, consular and cultural network, (Italy's)
contributions to international bodies, and rationalising (the
use of) properties abroad".
Mogherini noted that the foreign ministry's budget has
been cut 25% since 2008, but it one of "the least costly" major
ministries.
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