The Department of Energy Tax Resources, the provincial agency that must collect, monitor, assess, and control both the canon and royalties of local energy resources, has an "average degree of professionalism." Of the total employees, "nine are professional" and "eight are not (including in this category people who have not finished high school)." This was stated by the Auditor General of Salta, a state that is in second place for its volume production of gas fields and the seventh place in oil.

The report, approved last year over 2010 data says that "35% of the staff was hired," and, of those, "80% were not professional." For the watchdog, "recruit-by location of services or work-should respond to a specific need of the agency to carry out a given task with expertise, this being for the profession of the person, an important condition to be considered at the time of selection."

The report notes that the agency had "widespread use of flexible ways of public employment (temporary contracts, by service location, etc.) That could undermine the objectivity and continuity of public policies, increasing discretionary decisions related to human resources." Given this state of affairs, the auditors recommended" limiting recruitment to the unique and specialized needs of the development of some function, temporary and eventually required the body regardless of changes in the management of government." In addition, at the time of the audit, it was noted that "all the workers had been working there for less than 3 years."

The Management’s Response

The management responded to the audit observation on the lack of professionalism of the agency and, paradoxically, confirmed: "They advanced undergraduates and respond to the need for the number of qualified personnel for an efficient resolution of performance--functions of this Directorate, considering that they are targeted to a specific segment such as technical Hydrocarbon. Having specialized staff is highly expensive and the State can not equate the salaries offered in the private sector. "

Audit Recommendations: More Professional and More Incentives

The state watchdog recommended they "provide employees and officials with tools for processing and, increasing the level of professionalism of the structure," all "with the purpose of contributing to the possibility of providing more efficient public service". The control body remembers that "it is important that the HR planning" should not be limited by the "budget constraint", but "a true strategic orientation."

Furthermore, the report argues that "there was an incentive system," which "reduces the chances of generating higher levels of motivation, proactive behavior, and entrepreneurs in search of goals and successful outcomes." Based on the above, the auditors recommended: "Redesigning a system of ranking staff, based not only on the antiquity but also on performance and merit of the agents, who bring with it a true rise in the structure accompanied by increased responsibilities and functions." Which means,, encouraging the promotion based on performance and ability and "not policy or personal proximity."