Prosecutors' agency running out of money

[Weltschmerz]

Swedish prosecutors' agency running out of money

Published: 29 Apr 08 17:55 CET
Online: The Local - Swedish prosecutors\' agency running out of money

A financial crisis at the Swedish Prosecution Authority has resulted in an immediate halt to all overtime work, paid leave, and new hiring, as well as the shedding of all temporary employees.

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According to the Prosecutor General, the agency is suffering from a severe economic problems which threaten to cripple operations.

In a message sent to employees on Tuesday, Prosecutor General Anders Perklev laid bare the scope of the economic problems plaguing the agency.

After the first three months of the year, the agency’s expenses point to a budget deficit of at least 26 million kronor ($4.3 million).

Perklev also explained that no new funds from the government would be forthcoming, and thus the agency had no other alternative than to implement a drastic reduction in activity.

All overtime work has been prohibited until further notice for employees with regulated working hours. A stop has also been placed on all paid leaves of absence for new hires in other state agencies.

In addition the Prosecutor General has instructed his deputies that all temporary employees—including retired prosecutors, administrators, and students working part time—can no longer be employed by the agency.

All remaining temporary employees must stop working by May 9th, and no new hires will be allowed to replace employees who leave the agency.

Nicklas Lagrell, head of the prosecutors' section of the Swedish lawyers union Jusek, stated that this is the second time in the last eight months that the Prosecution Authority has had to implement emergency savings measures.

“The consequences will be longer processing times and more canceled court hearings,” said Lagrell in a statement.

The severe belt-tightening will remain in place until Perklev sees “different financial conditions.”

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

The Local - Swedish prosecutors\' agency running out of money