Massive, illegal staff recruitment to satisfy favor requests – most probably in exchange of votes – caused damaged in the economic situation of Athens Metro, according to a report released by the Inspector of Public Administration Leandros Rakitzis. According to report findings, Athens Metro staff increased by 50% within a few years, not only between 2004-2007 but also in August-September 2009, and thus short before the elections.
The massive recruitment caused significant operating cost and caused the company to show deficit of over 22 million euro, with ratio of payroll increasing form 48% in 2007 to 74% in 2009.
Rakitzis report
“Recruits show similar characteristic features like place of origin, mainly Larissa and Rhodope prefectures, had work experience as temporary workers or employees in offices of deputies and ministries general secretaries, their CVs were sent form the fax of a specific former minister, and often their interview took place after the recruitment. In 17 cases, despite a negative assessment by the executives of Athens Metro managements, the people were hired.
“One of the main reasons for the poor financial results of the company is increased payroll cost. Compared to cost in 2001, the cost had increased by approximately 700% in 2009.
Number of employees until 31/3/2004: 1,139 people
” ” until 21/10/2009: 1,688 people
that is an increase of almost 50%. It is characteristic that 50% of this recruitment occurred within 23 days, from 12. Aug 2009 until 4. Sept 2009, where a total of 210 people were hired. (Capital.gr)
The parliamentary elections took place at the end of September of the same year.
Now the prosecutor is calling the board of managers who served from 2008-2009.
According to Zougla.gr, it looks as if the transport ministers between 2005-2009 (Liapis, Chatzidakis and Stylianidis) did not investigate the legality of these recruitment.
Nea Dimocratia was the governing party from 2005 until 2009.
PS One should ask why the prosecutor does not call the ministers as well. that’s because they are protected through a law. So simple.
Does the “Well-known Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis” comment on this one?
Why don’t you find out and read his blogs… Or is it easier to hide behind cheap jibes than answer inconvenient questions?
So, one more reason to feel vindicated for not liking strikers in Greece. These Metro workers and their strike possibly were not even supposed to have these jobs in the first place.
But, one concern, if we take away the workers from the Metro, will it work as well? Because, maybe the reason it works so well, is that there are too many people and thus no one is truly overworked and in a good mood to perform better. (OK, possibly rhetorical)