The Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration is cutting 22 percent of its staff due to a budget deficit

At the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration they plan to cut about 22% of staff due to a budget deficit; this was reported to Ukrinform in an interview by the head of the RMA Vitaliy Kim.

The official explained that despite a slightly larger amount of state funding compared with last year, pay increases in the public sector have caused a shortage of funds both at the oblast level and in most communities. Under these conditions the administration is preparing staff cuts and reductions in bonus payments.

The regional leader stressed that such decisions are forced, and it will not be possible to avoid painful measures.

“The state allocated us even slightly more funds than last year, but the pay increases for public sector employees have led to a budget deficit both at the oblast level and in almost all communities. Now we have an instruction to reduce the RMA staff by 22%. There are no extra people; we will be cutting to the bone and will reduce bonuses,”

According to him, the current year will be extremely tense for local self-government: communities are directing significant resources to restoring infrastructure and supporting the Armed Forces, so there is effectively no money left for development budgets.

At the same time, Kim noted that the situation across the country is uneven: there are regions where the economy is holding up better thanks to the relocation of businesses and increased business activity.

“In the western and central regions it is a bit easier with this, because businesses that demonstrate economic growth have relocated there,”

Earlier we wrote:

• “There won’t even be enough money for salaries”: Senkevych warned of a strict selection of funding projects
• In Mykolaiv, funds for public-sector workers’ salaries are running out
• Mykolaiv risks delays in salary payments to cultural and education workers
• Mykolaiv’s music schools risk closing due to lack of funds
• “There is no money even for protected budget items”: Kim warned of possible payment cuts