‘Statistics department can't do its job’

THE island’s statistical service has stopped conducting certain surveys because parliament has not released the necessary funds to hire seasonal staff who typically carry out the task.

Most of the surveys constitute obligations towards the European Union.

“Unfortunately, because parliament has not approved the funds to hire seasonal staff, we cannot continue our surveys,” said senior official Dora Kyriakidou. “Due to this, especially as regards March, all surveys involving seasonal personnel have been interrupted.”

Last December, parliament froze new hires in the public sector in a bid to keep an eye on government spending.

The freeze has also caused widespread problems in the health sector.

The government had asked for the statistical service to be exempted from the freeze so as not to disrupt its smooth operation.

On Tuesday, the service said it had not carried out the March survey on tourist arrivals.

“No data was collected in March for any survey done with the help of seasonal staff,” Kyriakidou said.

Other surveys that fell victim concern domestic tourism, income and living conditions, adult education and labour force.

“We are facing a serious problem at the moment because we have not even started certain surveys,” most of which are required by the EU. “We will be violating the rules in the event that we do not produce any data,” Kyriakidou said.

The funds are expected to be discussed by parliament today.

“We are optimistic that they will be approved,” Kyriakidou said. “We’ll wait until tomorrow (today) to see what happens in parliament.”

Cyprus Tourism Organisation chief Alecos Orountiotis said the lack of data on tourism was a matter of concern.

“Such a development creates a huge problem in having a complete picture of tourism’s course,” Orountiotis said.