An employee with disabilities claims he was unfairly denied a promotion, sparking a complaint to Cyprus’ Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights. The complaint, filed last Thursday by lawyer George Karapatakis, represents a former employee of the Limassol Water Board, which has been dissolved and integrated into the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
The complainant, a father of three, suffers from a serious spinal disability following surgery. Despite his challenges, he has continued to fulfil his job responsibilities from a different position with commitment. Notably, he is not wheelchair-bound and manages to commute independently.
Karapatakis argues that his client was overlooked during a promotion process at the Limassol Water Board in spring 2024. He asserts that this decision was influenced by the employee’s health condition. To support this claim, the lawyer references the promotion of two other workers who had been appointed in the same year as his client, suggesting that the promotion criteria may not have been applied consistently.
In his appeal, Karapatakis draws attention to the fact that individuals with disabilities are typically promoted within security bodies like the Police and National Guard without negative repercussions. He also mentions similar practices in the Civil Service and the wider public sector, implying that his client’s situation is an exception rather than the norm.
The issue is complicated by the status of the Limassol Water Board, which no longer exists as a legal entity. In a response letter, Sokratis Metaxas, the General Director of the EOA and former director of the Water Board, stated that there is no authority to intervene in previous promotions because of this dissolution. He acknowledged that he participated in the promotion process in question.
Metaxas addressed the situation after being informed of the complaint. While he refrained from discussing specific personal circumstances, he emphasised that the contributions of the affected employee would be recognised and valued in the future. He defended the promotion decisions made, asserting that they were in the best interest of the service and reflected appropriate sensitivity to all employees’ circumstances.
The legal argument presented in the complaint highlights the serious implications of alleged discrimination based on disability. It references relevant legislation and European directives, stressing that employment for individuals with significant disabilities is essential for their self-esteem, social integration, and personal fulfilment. Karapatakis states, “Work not only enhances the physical and psychological well-being of these individuals but also reduces the feeling of isolation.”
The complaint concludes with a strong assertion that discrimination has occurred in the employee’s career development due to his disability. Karapatakis hopes for decisive action from the Commissioner, urging that the alleged discrimination be addressed.