Skopje, 8 September 2024 (MIA) — In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Minister of Public Administration Goran Minchev said the Balancer tool would remain in force although it would likely be subject to scrutiny, considering only 30 to 40 percent of public administration employees actually did their jobs, he said.

Asked about reducing administration staff, Minchev said public administration reforms should be put under a comprehensive review.

"We have opened a process of debate on some laws, but this process should be solid and comprehensive, including all affected institutions," he said, adding that he hoped for quick, strong reform processes.

The public administration minister said some institutions employed many people yet only maybe 30 to 40 percent actually did any work. He also pointed out that there were inspectorates of 15 employees that had management boards of seven members, who were paid EUR 2,000 to 2,500 euros for one session a year.

"There are many such institutions," he said, noting that the time was ripe for serious reforms in the public administration.

Asked about VMRO-DPMNE's election promises of cutting administration jobs, Minchev said it was a complicated process and subject to analysis.

On the Balancer tool, he said the European Union's 2023 screening report confirmed that it was being abused.

"We have cases where Macedonians applied [for jobs] as Albanians, Albanians applied as Macedonians or members of other ethnic communities, which means that the Balancer has practically already lost its purpose," Minchev said, adding that it was still being applied, however, in line with the law.

"As long as there is no other legal solution in force, the Balancer tool will remain, according to the Law on Public Sector Employees. But this does not mean that it will not be under review to see if it should be put an end to," Minchev said. mr/