The head of Cyprus’ main union representing Public Servants says he will go to the European Court of Human Rights over pay cuts imposed on the broader public sector in 2012.
General Secretary of Pasydy, Glafcos Hadjipetrou (pictured) said he had no choice but to seek remedies outside Cyprus after the highest court in the country ruled against Public Servants.
In April the Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Administrative Court which had earlier ruled that salary cuts to Public Servants at the time violated their right to property.
The pay cuts were implemented in 2012 as part of an austerity drive.
The Government quickly appealed the Administrative Court’s decision, arguing that it would have cost the State close to a billion euros in back-pay compensation.
Mr Hadjipetrou’s remarks came during the annual Pasydy Congress, which had initially been scheduled for April but been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The General Secretary, who has served in the position for 24 years, said the long-running blanket freeze on new hiring had turned the Public Service into “the poor relative” of other institutions.
“We are not in favour of returning to the practice of mass hiring, aware that the State needs to implement a balanced fiscal policy so that public finances remain robust,” Mr Hadjipetrou said.
“On the other hand, any hiring must be made equitably and based on real needs in sectors which are now under-staffed,” he said.
Nicosia, 17 September 2020
