No public manager to out earn the PM

I must say I am perplexed.  The government is punishing "the boys"?  This is more revolutionary than some revolutions.

Check this out:

The statute of public employees has been changed today.  It has been approved that:

• Public managers may not earn more than the prime minister (he earns approximately 100000 euros per year) 
• There will be exceptions for public companies in commerce competing with other companies.  Examples of such public companies are TAP and CGD (Bank owned by the state).  In these cases managers may be limited to not earn more than the average of the three last years at their previous job.
• Management bonus will be limited to 50% of the annual wage and depend on positive results (positive results - revolutionary!)
• No more free credit cards as a way to inflate the salary and cheat the tax man
• Public managers are often given a car.  They get it as new and change every three years.  That may continue.  But the managers will no longer be allowed to "buy" the car for 10% of its original value after three years
• Now it gets crazy:  Candidates for managers in the public sector will have to be evaluated and their qualifications checked according to their curriculum
• Pensions and salary may no longer be accumulated
• The number of directors for a public entity is limited to four
• They can be fired if they do not perform according to contracts
• Their salaries must be comparable to high level public management
• They will stay on for 5 years instead of 3
• Direct savings are estimated at 5 to 6 million per year
• And now it gets insane:  The directors will be chosen through selection - they will have to actually compete for the job

Saint?

We finally have a government worthy its name.  There be idealists and honest people in it?   I thee salute, Mr. Prime Minister Passos Coelho.

I can feel tears of joy in the corners of my eyes.  The world is beautiful.  Good beats evil any time.  Peace and flower power...





WAIT A MINUTE

When something is too good to be true - it usually is.

1. With such comparatively low salaries - will it be possible to attract qualified managers?  Not to mention the best?
2. What about all the existing managers/directors?  Will they have their salaries lowered?  The excess managers will be moved to an empty office with salary?  Or will they be fired?
3. With lower salaries - will we see even more corruption?  And an even faster exit to positions "earned" by promoting special interests?
4. One of the good things about criminals in jail, is that while in jail they are impeded from committing crime.  What about all "the boys" on the loose (no longer directors) in the future?  Will it be safe to go outside? (*)
5. Even greed can become too obvious. With the people starving, it will look bad that "the boys" do not earn a little less.   Hence this temporary salary reduction as an action of solidarity.

(Funny, how living in Portugal and observing politicians makes you a cynic.)

I once read a science fiction novel about an interesting society.   The only way to become a voting citizen was by spending five years working for society.  E.g. as a soldier.   The only way to become a public manager was by giving all your wealth away and denouncing all other positions.

I wish.  Being a public servant such as a manager or a judge should only be for the best of best, for people with the highest integrity.  For idealists and people of honor.  For people with a wish to serve.

Alas...


(*) My son did not understand this sentence.  It is supposed to be funny - and to expose a bit of truth:  "The boys" are generally speaking the scum of the earth.  Corrupt to the bone.  They have sold their souls.  A corrupt public employee will always cost the state money.  That money could have been used to treat sick children - even save lives.   "The boys" are more criminal than most criminals currently in jail.  I would rather be confronted by a street thug.  He might steal my wallet - but he won't harm my child.
When "the boys" no longer can find jobs in the public sector - where will they go to do what harm? - that's the worry.