A Dutch employee at the Maltese mission in The Hague was paid €6,325 more that the minimum established by law after she went on sick leave for seven months, the Auditor-General reports in his annual report on the Pubic Accounts.

The employee, who was the only Dutch-speaking officer at the mission, went on sick leave in May. In June she informed the Ambassador that her recovery period would take a considerable time, and she was still on sick leave on December 31.

The Ambassador informed head office that the mission would continue to pay the officer her full salary unless otherwise instructed. Following head office advice, an allowance of €250 was stopped, but the full monthly salary of €3,012 was still paid.

The auditor said that according to online information from the Netherlands Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the mission was not bound to pay this officer her full salary. In line with Dutch law, she was entitled to at least 70% of the wage, but not less than the minimum wage.

As a result, the auditor said, for the seven-month sick leave period, this officer was paid €6,325 more than the minimum established by law.