A female firefighter has successfully claimed €10,000 in damages after a court found the Fire Service discriminated against her by denying her training that was provided to her male counterparts and forcing her to wear oversized boots for three years.
- In 2018, she initiated legal proceedings against the Fire Service through her lawyer E. Korakidis, seeking €50,000 in damages for the discriminatory treatment she faced.
Female firefighter: Ruling from the Labour Disputes Court
The Labour Disputes Court in Paphos determined that the firefighter experienced direct gender discrimination during her tenure at the Paphos Airport Fire Station, where she served for three years and three months.
Discriminatory Treatment and Oversized Boots
The court revealed that the firefighter was provided with special airport fire boots in size 42, despite her wearing a size 39. Additionally, she was systematically denied training on newer airport fire vehicles between late October 2015 and early January 2018, while her male colleagues received this crucial training.
Timeline of Events
The firefighter began her career with the Police on 6 April 2009, transitioning to the Fire Service on 27 July 2009. Following her placement at Paphos Fire Station, she quickly became aware of the disparities in treatment compared to her male colleagues.
In 2018, she initiated legal proceedings against the Fire Service through her lawyer E. Korakidis, seeking €50,000 in damages for the discriminatory treatment she faced.
Claims of Intimidation
In her testimony, the firefighter also detailed experiences of violent and intimidating behaviour from a male sergeant, who she claimed was protected by her superiors. Furthermore, she highlighted that her transfer to Paphos Airport was executed without the necessary approvals, leading to significant personal costs in travel, which were not compensated by the Fire Service.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
The Attorney General’s office contested the claims, arguing that the allegations of gender discrimination were unfounded and that the claims fell outside of the one-year period permitted by law. They maintained that the issues raised pertained to a civil servant-public authority relationship, which they believed did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Labour Court.
Court Findings on Discrimination
Despite the Attorney General’s arguments, the judges—E. Konstantinou (president), S. Delitsikkou, and M. Filippidis—conducted a thorough analysis of the testimonies and applicable gender discrimination laws. While they dismissed claims of a hostile environment for female firefighters, they confirmed that the plaintiff was indeed discriminated against on two significant grounds: the lack of training on new fire vehicles and the provision of ill-fitting boots.
Compensation for Moral Harm
In their decision, the judges awarded compensation solely for the moral harm caused by the direct discrimination the firefighter endured. They assigned €6,000 for the failure to provide training on new airport fire vehicles and €4,000 for the oversized boots. This total compensation also includes interest accrued since 2014.
Significance of the Ruling
This landmark case marks the first instance where a firefighter has successfully secured damages for gender discrimination against the Fire Service. The ruling underscores the ongoing challenges faced by women in traditionally male-dominated fields and highlights the importance of equal treatment and opportunities in the workplace.
Gender Equality in Cyprus
In the broader context of gender equality, Cyprus ranks last in the European Union, indicating significant gaps in women’s rights and equal treatment in various sectors. The court’s ruling may serve as a catalyst for further discussions and reforms aimed at addressing these disparities.