Naples – "Investigations into attendance fees? An often exploitative issue that ends in nothing and discredits those who, by popular will, represent the neighborhoods. But if we want to talk about waste, the real expense isn't the municipalities themselves, but bodies like the councils, often composed of unelected individuals."
Pasquale Strazzullo, a former municipal councilor for three consecutive terms, now retired "by choice," breaks the deadlock on the vexed issue of reimbursements to area representatives. He does so with a comprehensive analysis, calling for a distinction between futile controversies and real issues, starting with an administrative decentralization that never really got off the ground.
Discrimination: Public vs. Private
Strazzullo, who emphasizes that he has never personally benefited from paid work leave, points to unequal treatment that distorts the system. "There's real discrimination between public and private employees," he explains.
“The former – such as those from the ASL or EAV – remain justified without daily limits, continuing to receive their worker's salary, in addition to the attendance fees, which, however, cannot exceed 14 days per year, even if they attend 30 sessions. Private employees, on the other hand, are generally entitled to only 6 or 7 days of paid leave per month, with the same maximum limit of 14 allowances.
In practice, the real beneficiaries of the possibility of absenting themselves are public employees, who are also obliged to produce documents to the commissions".
The alarm: the risk of fictitious hiring
The former councilor, however, broadens the scope beyond the issue of tokens, indicating a more insidious potential area of illicit activity.
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Perhaps with professional levels far superior to the actual skills and qualifications of the new employee, who is also an elected councilor. These situations would unduly burden the budget," warns Strazzullo.
The main criticism: Useless governments and failed decentralization
At the heart of Strazzullo's argument, however, is an accusation of structural inefficiency. "If we want to say that municipalities are useless, the blame lies with the City of Naples, which never effectively implemented the decentralization reform of the early 2000s, under the Iervolino administration."
It is from this failure, according to him, that the "real waste" arises: the municipal councils. "They are often represented by individuals who have 'failed' in municipal elections and are appointed for party reasons. This body is not indispensable, because Article 35 of the bylaws would allow the President to assign specific tasks directly to elected councilors."
This, combined with the lack of management autonomy of the Municipalities—which "only issue non-binding opinions"—makes the Councils, composed of members not directly elected by citizens, "a burdensome cost that could certainly be avoided."
Confidence in investigations
While awaiting further developments, Strazzullo concludes with cautious optimism regarding the ongoing investigative activities. "We are confident in the work being carried out by the Guardia di Finanza”, he concludes, hoping that the investigations will finally bring to light not only any irregularities, but also the critical issues of a system that struggles to function for citizens.
A request for clarity that is also a warning: do not confuse the legitimate representation of neighborhoods with the waste of an often cumbersome system.
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11 September 2025 - 19:38
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17 September 2025 - 06:51
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16 September 2025 - 06:57
Comments (1)
I disagree with Strazzullo's statements, because it seems he's only talking about the disparity between the public and private sectors. However, public employees also work and deserve justification. The situation of the municipal governments is complicated.