TAX OFFICE LIFTS STOPPED TO SAVE MONEY

Handdryers are disconnected in toilets, lifts are stopped – this situation characterizes the Hungarian Tax Office (APEH) which has to economize as its budget is 25 pc less this year. The employees’ wages can be reduced even by 40-50 pc which may affect the result of the work, though even 1 pc loss of income from taxes means a loss of HUF 60 billion for the state treasury.

Because of Finance Minister Draskovics’s package of restriction – this so far has meant the dismissal of 1100 employees – APEH has a budget of HUF 56 billion instead of last year’s HUF 74 billion. The difference will be saved by not paying the employees’ extra work. If the result is negative, the salaries of senior executives may be halved. Péter Michalkó, chairman of the trade union finds the measures ridiculous and finds the plan totally mistaken to reduce the scope of a well functioning public administrative body.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó