Despite the statements of the head of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency, Olena Duma, about the small staff of the agency, regular scandals show that she cannot effectively manage even the existing staff. Her management style and personnel policy raise serious questions and criticism, UNN writes.
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In her speeches, Olena Duma has repeatedly emphasized that ARMA lacks specialists for effective work and pointed out the need to expand its staff.
"Human resources are extremely important to us. ARMA appreciates employees who are dedicated and sacrifice their personal time for the sake of work. We reward those who dedicate their efforts to strengthening the agency's status, restoring trust and institutional capacity. I am proud that over the past year we have been able to assemble a powerful and professional team of specialists who prove every day that ARMA is an integral part of Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure. However, we continue to add new, motivated professionals to our staff," Duma said.
However, in parallel with these statements, current ARMA employees complain about high staff turnover. For example, in just one year, the Asset Management Department has had four heads. This affects institutional memory and consistency of work. New employees often do not have time to adapt to the agency's complex processes before leaving their positions. In addition, according to employees, the atmosphere in the agency is far from team-based.
"The ARMA has become a place where everyone works against everyone," UNN's interlocutors pointed out.
Another scandal involving the agency's employees has recently erupted. The National Police has started checking certain ARMA employees for allegedly obtaining fake disability documents, which allow them to receive deferred service in the Armed Forces and pension payments. Currently, the police are checking five officials of the agency. As UNN has learned from its own sources, among them is the advisor to the head of the ARMA, Oleksandr Danilkovych.
Experts in their comments to UNN noted that ARMA employees could not have received fake certificates without the knowledge or even participation of Olena Duma. They also emphasized that the head of the agency should take moral responsibility and resign if the information that her subordinates received fake disability certificates is confirmed.
The overall state of affairs in ARMA demonstrates the lack of a unified management strategy. For example, the Head of ARMA considers it a good move to send his Deputy for European Integration to inspect facilities in the regions. This calls into question the prioritization strategy of the agency's management.
Nevertheless, the Duma continues to insist on increasing the number of staff, instead of ensuring effective work with existing employees.
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The public has reacted strongly to the information about allegedly fake disability certificates and is convinced that this case is another example of corruption and inefficiency of state bodies. Ukrainians demand not only an investigation, but also concrete steps to clean up the agency.