Some 3,000 prosecution staffers say excessive workload, old IT causing high stress
Nearly 3,000 employees of the Public Prosecution Service (OM) sent an urgent letter to the OM management on Thursday, warning that failing IT infrastructure, budget cuts, and high workload are putting the service under pressure. “Concerns and frustrations” have been expressed about things like the recent computer hack and other ongoing issues, the OM reported.
“The fact that 2,850 colleagues signed this letter is a very clear signal of the extent of the frustration. OM employees have been severely tested recently,” the OM said about the letter sent by the “OM Committee under Pressure”.
In July, the OM went offline for weeks after being hacked. Only in the month following the digital breach did the service gradually return online. In all that time, prosecutors had to do their work with limited to no access to email, digital files, and archives.
NRC spoke to the committee behind the letter. The committee said that prosecutors can no longer perform their work responsibly. “The state of the rule of law is at stake” due to the failing IT infrastructure, high workload, and new budget cuts, they said. “Mistakes are imminent because systems don’t work and employees are becoming discouraged.”
The OM management said it recognizes the concerns and appreciates the staff’s efforts. “Despite all the restrictions, most hearings have happened as planned in recent months, and the OM has continued to function. This is thanks to the hard work, flexibility, and perseverance of all OM staff.”
The OM added that addressing the IT issues is a “high priority” and said that the management will meet with this committee shortly.
The Dutch Association for the Judiciary (NVvR) also wrote a letter to the OM earlier this month, warning about the same issues, ANP reported. The NVvR said that budget cuts, IT issues, and the high workload were causing “despondency and feelings of frustration” among staff.
