Public sector layoffs in 2015, privatization bill "in July"

Public sector layoffs in 2015, privatization bill "in July"

BELGRADE -- Serbia's economy is facing a turning point and its biggest problems lie in the political practice, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Kori Udovički has stated.

Problematic areas also include "administrative culture and regulations, which is why some changes are needed," she was quoted as saying by Tanjug.

Addressing the 14th Economic Summit with Tanjug Biz as its media partner, Udovički, who also serves as minister of public administration and local self-government ,said that Serbia must not allow itself to live off loans because in this case the country was "its own biggest enemy."

She underscored that Serbia needs investments, which demands economic growth.

According to her, the state administration is not coordinated enough - however, the reason for this is "not lack of political will but lack of coordination mechanisms between the government capacities and the government and institutions in the state system."

She noted that the authorities will work on a package of laws concerning the public administration system, civil servants and local self-government which should be adopted in the fall.

The minister added that "the 2015 budget must reflect the rationalization plan" and noted that "irrationalities are numerous in the public sector which employs 760,000 people."

" This is the reason why foreign investors often face problems," Udovički said.

The Beta news agency is reporting that she "did not wish to say how many public sector workers were a surplus," but stated it was "certain that the state administration employs some 28,000 people, while the public sector has 760,000."