Nicosia, Cyprus. Trade union Isotita’s police branch on Tuesday called on its members from all branches to join a protest over recently announced police reform to be held outside the House on Wednesday.
Union opposes shift schedule change
Isotita said the police leadership had unilaterally decided to impose a transition from the 12×36 to the 11×37 schedule from January 1, describing it as an attack on the rule of law, the hierarchy of rules and the labour rights of police officers.
The union described the plans as a “violent intensification of work” and said the amendments were unnecessary, alleging they amounted to a dismantling of decades of achievements.
Allegations of legal and constitutional breaches
Isotita said the reform disregarded provisions of the police law concerning terms of service, hours of duty and days off, which it said are regulated exclusively by the Council of Ministers.
The union alleged the police leadership had usurped legislative power and was violating the separation of powers, the constitution, international conventions and general principles of administrative law.
Concerns over rest days and unpaid work
Isotita warned the changes would reduce annual rest days off from 19.5 to 4 days and 7.5 hours, affecting officers’ time for recovery and rest.
It also said the regulations would oblige officers to perform an additional 3.18 days of unpaid work per year, which it described as unjustified enrichment of the state.
Protest call and court filing
The union said police chief Themistos Arnaoutis’ plans left no room for compromise and reiterated that a request for revocation of the amendments had been filed with the administrative court.
Isotita said the legal challenge needed to be supported by a strong presence at the protest, and warned the police reform could lead to similar attacks on workers’ rights in other branches.
Will you join the protest outside the House on Wednesday?