By: Vida Kocjan
At the reorganisation of the current government early last year, we were told that costs would not increase with the new, additional ministries. However, it has now come to light that ministries have hired around 1,360 new employees, which, with an average gross salary of around 2,500 euros in Slovenia, amounts to over 3 million euros per month solely for salaries. In addition, each ministry also incurs material costs and, in some cases, rental expenses. The new Golob government now has 20 ministries. By comparison, Switzerland has eight, and during the second Janša government, there were 12 ministries, along with two without specific portfolios.
Last year, new ministries were established based on the wishes of Prime Minister Robert Golob and his coalition partners (SD and Levica). They created three new ministries: the Ministry for a Solidary Future, the Ministry for Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, and the Ministry for Environment, Climate, and Energy. Additionally, six previous ministries were restructured and their portfolios divided. Among the new ministries, the Ministry for a Solidary Future stands out, led by former leftist activist Simon Maljevac, although it is one of the least active ministries despite having nearly a hundred employees.
The “inefficient” Ministry of Health is also surprising
Over the past few weeks, various ministries and agencies were asked to report on new hires from June 1st, 2022, to August 20th, 2024. Surprisingly, the Ministry of Health leads with 126 new hires, though citizens feel little impact, as the healthcare system remains in disarray. In contrast, the Ministry for Higher Education, Science, and Innovation hired only five new employees. Employment trends at other ministries also reveal some interesting and turbulent developments.
Ministry for the Economy, Tourism, and Sports: 59
The Ministry is led by Matjaž Han (SD). From June 1st, 2022, to March 31st, 2023, they hired 19 people, including six cabinet members tied to the minister’s term. During this period, eight employees were transferred in from other agencies, and four employees left. From April 1st, 2023, to August 20th, 2024, the ministry hired 23 additional people and transferred in another nine from other agencies, while two employees left. Between June 1st and August 20th, 2024, the ministry gained 59 employees in total, with six roles linked to the minister’s term and six employees leaving during this time. Most new hires include secretaries, undersecretaries, and senior advisors, along with three trainees.
Ministry for a Solidary Future: 86 or 93
Led by Simon Maljevac (Levica), the Ministry of a Solidary Future reported a total of 86 hires, primarily secretaries, undersecretaries, and advisors. As a newly established ministry, Maljevac stated in response to parliamentary questions from MP Andrej Hoivik that they had hired 98 people between February 1st, 2023, and October 1st, 2024, 13 more than previously reported by August 20th. Hoivik also noted the ministry’s substantial spending, with salaries alone totalling around 300,000 euros per month based on the average gross salary in Slovenia of around 2,500 euros.
General Secretariat of the Government: 47
The General Secretariat of the Government added 47 new employees, many of whom are temporary transfers, including police officers – security staff, and inspectors for the prime minister’s protection. Transfers were completed on September 23rd, 2022, with 13 people involved, including the head of security. The Secretariat also hired 10 new employees and made three cabinet appointments.
Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities: 76
Led by Luka Mesec (Levica), this ministry reported 76 hires, although its report is among the most complex, with a number of employment terminations and transfers from other agencies.
Ministry of Finance: 104
Under Klemen Boštjančič (Gibanje Svoboda), the Ministry of Finance reported 104 new hires, five of whom are employed based on the minister’s trust. Four trainees were hired for fixed terms, while most others hold permanent contracts. Based on recruitment phases, it is estimated that an additional 10-15 hires may still occur.
Ministry of Public Administration: 45
Led by Franc Props (Gibanje Svoboda), this ministry lists 45 new hires, six of whom are based on the minister’s trust. Three trainees were hired for fixed terms, four for specific projects, one for a replacement role, and the rest on permanent contracts.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning: 51
Jože Novak (Gibanje Svoboda) oversees this ministry, which listed 51 positions, including eight project-based fixed-term roles and four for temporary replacements.
Ministry of the Interior: 120
Led by Boštjan Poklukar (Gibanje Svoboda), the ministry reported 120 new hires from June 1st, 2022, to August 20th, 2024. Most roles are permanent, with six positions tied to the minister’s term.
Ministry of Justice: 84
Under Andreja Katič (SD), the Ministry of Justice reported 84 hires, including several transfers from other agencies. Three appointments are based on official trust, while employment for 20 employees has already ended.
Ministry of Education: 81
Vinko Logaj (Gibanje Svoboda) leads this ministry, which listed 81 hires between June 1st, 2022, and August 20th, 2024. Employment for 25 of these hires has already ended, some due to government restructuring or transfers to other ministries. The busiest period was in January and early 2023 overall.
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs: 74
Led by Tanja Fajon (SD), this ministry lists 74 positions, with four employees on contracts tied to the minister’s term. Many positions are project-based, and five trainees were also hired.
Ministry of Infrastructure: 44
Led by Alenka Bratušek, this ministry lists 44 new hires, including advisors, secretaries, undersecretaries, senior advisors, and coordinators. Most are on permanent contracts.
Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants: 93
Directed by Katarina Štrukelj, this office lists 93 positions, including many transferred employees, some of whom have since left. Eight employees work on the AMIF (EU) project, and six were hired through public works programmes.
Ministry of Culture: 56 hires
Led by Asta Vrečko (Levica), the ministry hired 56 employees between June 1st, 2022, and August 20th, 2024. This includes replacements for maternity and sick leave, project-based hires, and various inter-ministerial transfers. Of these, 33 are permanent, and 23 are temporary, with seven tied to the minister’s term.
Additionally, 44 employees left the ministry, and 12 more hires were made to support the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the new Directorate for Cultural Policy Development.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food: 88
Led by Mateja Čalušić (Gibanje Svoboda), this ministry lists 88 positions, including 11 cabinet hires (some of whom have left). There were some replacements, and several employees have also left the ministry.
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation: 5
Led by Igor Papič (Gibanje Svoboda), this ministry hired five new employees, with plans for one more hire by the end of 2024.
Ministry of Defence: 184
The ministry was led by Marjan Šarec, followed by Robert Golob, and is now under Borut Sajovic (all from the Gibanje Svoboda). In the administrative division, they hired 184 people, with 25 more planned by the end of the year. Meanwhile, 141 employees left, 71 of whom retired, while 70 departed for other reasons.
Ministry of Health: 126
Led by Valentina Prevolnik Rupel (Gibanje Svoboda), the ministry had 210 employees at the start of the term (June 1st, 2022). Since then, 126 new employees have been hired, of whom 40 are no longer with the ministry. As of August 20th, 2024, the Ministry of Health employs 220 people. They plan to fill additional positions by the end of 2024 as per the staffing plan.
Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development: 30
Led by Aleksander Jevšek (SD), the ministry hired 30 new employees and plans for up to ten more by the end of 2024.
According to the common staffing plan:
– On January 1st, 2022, there were 30,691 employees in state administration.
– On January 1st, 2023, there were 30,915 employees.
– On September 1st, 2024, this number had increased to 31,420.