Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus. Allegations of nepotism and unlawful procedures have been raised over recent recruitment decisions at Polis Chrysochous municipality, with Kritou Terra deputy mayor Dervis Charalambous filing formal complaints to the interior ministry and the auditor-general.
Complaint to state authorities
Charalambous said the municipal council approved the appointment of several employees, including four whose fathers serve as deputy mayors, and alleged that those deputy mayors participated in votes despite a direct conflict of interest.
He said the most recent council session on Tuesday included intense disagreement and that the issue raised “matters of legality and moral order”.
In his letter, Charalambous said he urged the municipality not to ratify the minutes of the disputed plenary session until concerns were addressed.
He said that despite this, the council on Monday ratified decisions related to the consolidation of hourly-paid workers, including the participation of relatives in the voting process.
Charalambous said this amounted to “criminal offences” and that he had no option but to report the matter to state authorities.
“I will not become an accomplice in these illegalities,” Charalambous said, adding that he would not attend further municipal council meetings until the legality of the procedures is restored.
Dispute over seasonal workers’ employment status
The dispute centres on the employment status of seasonal workers initially hired for general duties under salary scale E5–6, a progressive hourly rate for specialised positions, rather than as monthly-paid civil servants on salary scale A.
According to the complaint, a vote held in February last year examined whether the workers should remain in their posts or whether new positions should be advertised through an open recruitment process.
The council reportedly split evenly, with eight deputy mayors supporting a new competition and eight favouring retention of the existing staff.
What changes, if any, will state authorities make following Charalambous’s complaint?
