State Payroll Rises To 51,966 in May From 50,335 in January

The number of people collecting salaries from the government rose from 50,335 in January to 51,966 in May, said the Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT).

There are 42,006 permanent employees and 9,960 casual employees, according to the survey.

The civil service accounts for 18,935 employees, public education accounts for 13,417 employees, and security forces account for 10,111 employees.

In 2011, there was an average of 52,199 employees, a high of 53,255 in October and a low of 50,980 in January.

Historically, the number of public employees has risen from 49,612 at the beginning of 2009 to the latest figure of 51,966 for May 2012, according to the survey.

The issue is important because of calls for the government to cut its costs so that its deficit falls below three percent of GDP. Finance Minister Vassos Shiarly said this would only be possible with the introduction of new economic measures to raise government income and lower its costs. But according to its latest payroll numbers, the government is instead hiring more staff.

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