This analysis provides an overview of the procedures and practices related to the use of temporary engagement mechanisms in public administration, given that concerns about the lack of transparency in such engagements and numerous associated abuses have been raised for years.
The service contracts we analyzed contain numerous irregularities, such as: absence of job descriptions, increases in monthly compensation without changes to the original job description, and the repeated extension of service contracts (thereby eliminating their temporary nature, which is a key characteristic, and in practice turning them into a mechanism for bypassing standard hiring procedures). A particularly illustrative example is that of an individual engaged by the Real Estate Administration over a period of 13 years on this basis.
There were certain improvements in the planning of this type of engagement. For example, the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Ministry of Public Administration developed engagement plans for 2023 and 2024. However, the existing plans do not serve as a limitation on additional engagements. Thus, compared to the 2023 Engagement Plan, the Ministry of Culture and Media engaged 40% more individuals, and in 2024, 30% more than what was projected in the 2024 Engagement Plan.
A review of inspection reports related to concluded service contracts, covering the period from January 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024, revealed that despite identified irregularities, the inspection authorities lack grounds to take appropriate measures in this area after the expiration of the contract period, thereby creating space for the misuse of temporarily engaged individuals. All observed shortcomings point to the need for more precise regulation of these types of work arrangements within public administration, particularly regarding additional mechanisms for planning and oversight of contract implementation.