Government announces reduction of positions and management levels

The Government of Ukraine is launching optimization of the state apparatus: in the first stage, it is planned to cut more than 4,000 vacant positions in central executive authorities. This was announced by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi.

At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers intends to reduce the number of deputy heads of state bodies. According to the Prime Minister, the number of deputy ministers is planned to be reduced by about 20%, and deputy heads of other central executive authorities by almost 18%.

However, the final number of civil servants will not be determined through mechanical staff cuts. The government is conducting a functional diagnosis of the state apparatus, during which it should find out what tasks individual bodies perform and to what extent these functions correspond to the current priorities of the state.

"We will check what functions the bodies have and whether they correspond to realities and priorities of the state, and only then determine the structure and final number of staff," — Koretskyi said.

Another direction of the reform will be changing the system of professional training for civil servants. The training of employees is planned to be linked to the tasks of specific positions. For young people, the authorities intend to develop information and internship programs, and a separate program is provided for veterans.

Koretskyi announced that the Council for State Governance, which includes representatives of the government, parliament, and experts, has resumed its work. At its meeting, a plan of changes was presented and those responsible for individual reform areas were identified.

The Prime Minister first announced the intention to review the structure of central executive authorities on September 18. Then he stated that the government would analyze duplication of functions and excess processes, opportunities for digitalization and automation, as well as the actual need of agencies for staff. Separately, a reduction of excessive vacant positions and a review of the number of deputy heads was announced.

According to the head of government, the ultimate goal of the changes is to form a state apparatus that can fulfill tasks faster with fewer excess processes.

Based on materials from: Serhiy Koretskyi, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine