A complaint alleging “prohibited discrimination in career development” against an employee with disabilities has been filed with Cyprus’ Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, Maria Stylianou Lottides.
The complaint was submitted last Thursday by lawyer George Karapatakis on behalf of an employee of the former Limassol Water Board, which was dissolved and incorporated into the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
According to the complaint, the employee is a father of three who faces “serious disability in the spine” following surgery and subsequent medical assessment.
Karapatakis notes that despite his client’s health issues, he continues to perform duties from a different position with dedication. He explains that his client is not wheelchair-bound and travels to work independently, driving a car and moving on foot.
The lawyer contends that his client was overlooked in a promotion process at the Limassol Water Board in spring 2024, linking this unfavourable development to his health condition.
He supports this claim by referring to the promotions of two other hourly-paid workers who had been appointed in 2011, the same year as his client.
Karapatakis points out that in security bodies of the Republic, such as the Police and National Guard, individuals who have faced disability issues are promoted normally without being adversely affected.
He adds that the same applies in the Civil Service and the broader public sector.
Director’s response
One of the parameters included in this written appeal concerns the status of the Limassol Water Board, which was dissolved and incorporated into the Limassol EOA.
The General Director of the EOA, in a reply letter regarding the promotion process, states that because the former entity no longer legally exists, there is no way to intervene in the previous promotions.
Notably, the general director of the EOA was also the director of the Water Board who participated in the promotion process under discussion.
When contacted by Phileleftheros, Sokratis Metaxas, after being informed of the development, willingly addressed the issue, answering all questions.
He clarified that he cannot disclose details concerning personal circumstances of employees, but wanted to assure that the affected person’s contribution is not overlooked and will not be in the future for any reason.
Metaxas confirmed that he indeed participated in the controversial promotion process in his previous capacity as director of the Limassol Water Board.
He stressed, however, that the complainant was not overlooked. He maintained that the best possible decisions were made for the Water Board and to ensure the service was not adversely affected.
He repeated that the complainant’s circumstances are taken into account and that there is appropriate sensitivity.
In response to a question, he said that as director of the Water Board, he had provided explanations to the employee on many occasions. “Yes, I responded in writing as well,” Metaxas stated.
Legal aspects
The complaint details the circumstances under which the alleged adverse discrimination occurred and analyses the legal aspect of the case, which according to the documents is intertwined with fundamental human rights.
After citing legislation and European directives, Karapatakis notes, “Employment for persons with serious disabilities is not merely a means of livelihood, but a fundamental source of self-esteem, social integration, and personal fulfillment. In other words, work not only enhances the physical and psychological well-being of these individuals but also reduces the feeling of isolation”.
The complaint concludes: “It is our firm position that this is a glaring case, as there was clearly a prohibited discrimination in his career development due to disability, and we hope that with your dynamic intervention, as an Equality and Anti-Discrimination body, the prohibited discrimination against him in his career development due to disability will be lifted”.
