A social services office employee in Germasogeia suffered a verbal and physical attack on Monday (18/08), prompting the Pan-Cyprian Union Isotita to demand immediate security improvements and threaten strike action.
According to the union’s complaint, a citizen attacked staff verbally and physically, throwing objects to break the reception’s protective glass.
The private security guard present took no action, whilst police arrived approximately 30 minutes late.
The union has issued a series of demands and warns it will take strong measures if they are not immediately addressed.
Union highlights systemic security failures
The Pan-Cyprian Union Isotita (Social Services Branch Council) expressed serious concern about the absence of substantial security measures at Social Services offices as violence incidents against staff multiply.
The incident demonstrates that private guards placed at Social Services offices lack required capabilities or training for crisis management, providing only formal rather than substantial security, the union said.
The absence of clear police cooperation protocols leads to dangerous delays, whilst staff are forced to operate under fear, which encourages rather than deters violence.
Four-point demand list
The union demands:
- Replacement of private guards with police officers, as only police have institutional tools to impose order and function as a deterrent
- Establishment of violent incident management protocols with registration and service limitation for troublemakers
- Immediate technical measures including panic buttons, CCTV with police access, and reinforcement of reception areas
- Staff training in crisis management and self-protection
Strike threat issued
If demands are not immediately met, the union will take strong measures including:
- Work stoppages and strike mobilisations
- Refusal to serve citizens displaying violent behaviour
- Public complaints and legal action to protect members
The union calls on the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and Police to take immediate action, stating that the safety of Social Services employees and citizens visiting offices is non-negotiable.
“We were lucky not to mourn victims,” the union statement noted, emphasising the incident’s severity and potential for worse outcomes.
