Over the past 10 years, the number of employees in the government-owned utility companies has increased from 7,002 to 11,552, or by 65%, as reported in Hoy. This means that their payrolls have soared from US$4 million in August 2004 to US$31 million a month, according to electricity expert Bernardo Castellanos.
Castellanos warns that the figures show growing a financial deficit and direct subsidy. The payrolls cover the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Corporation (EgeHID), the Electricity Transmission Corporation (ETED) and the EdeNorte, EdeSur and EdeEste power distribution companies.
These data are contained in a study by Bernardo Castellanos, who warns that with these indicators and figures it will be very difficult to improve the electricity sector finances, since as the growing financial deficit and the direct subsidy, which in 2004 was US$250 million and US$1.2 billion by 2014, corresponding to the increase in employee numbers and payroll expenses.
The study was presented during the ongoing Electricity Pact discussions between the business sector and the government.
Nómina del sector eléctrico se incrementa en 56% en últimos 10 años; pide racionalidad