**Public Service Advisors to Lose Pay in Georgia**
In a move that has sparked debate, the Georgian government is considering making significant changes to how public service advisors are compensated. According to proposed amendments to the Law on Public Service, individuals who work as advisors to civil servants or those with equivalent positions will no longer receive payment for their duties.
Under the current law, state officials can hire paid advisors to help them in their roles. However, the new draft bill aims to change this by making advisor positions unpaid. This regulation will apply to all public entities except for those involved in culture, education, science, research, sports, religion, and membership-based organizations.
**Why the Change?**
The explanatory note of the draft law suggests that the advisor position is not as demanding or equivalent to other forms of public service employment. Therefore, it is argued that advisors should not receive payment for their work. This move has raised eyebrows among some experts who point out that advisors often play a crucial role in supporting civil servants and making important decisions.
**Impact on Public Service**
The impact of this change will be felt across various public entities in Georgia. While the idea behind it is to make the advisor position more akin to other forms of public service employment, critics argue that it may lead to a shortage of qualified individuals willing to take on advisory roles without compensation. This could ultimately affect the quality and efficiency of public services.
**What’s Next?**
The proposed amendments have already been introduced in Parliament by MPs from the “Georgian Dream” party. It remains to be seen how lawmakers will vote on this issue. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: any change to the Law on Public Service will have significant implications for public service advisors and the entities they serve.
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