Pase-Cyta criticises government over Economides’ removal from Cyta board

Nicosia, Cyprus. Pase-Cyta renewed its criticism of the government on Friday over the removal of Loizos Economides from Cyta’s board of directors, saying no reason had been given for his replacement.

The union said the departure harmed perceptions of meritocracy, institutional consistency and the use of people with direct knowledge of the organisation.

Union statement

In a statement, Pase-Cyta said Economides’ resignation “flatters neither the institutions nor the president”, particularly because the reason for the decision had not been announced.

It described his departure as a serious blow to the “perception of meritocracy, institutional consistency and the substantial utilisation of people who know the organisation firsthand”.

Concerns over appointment

Economides’ appointment was challenged after the Cyta employees’ union Aset raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest. The government subsequently announced that he would be replaced.

Economides is a retired senior Cyta executive whose wife remains employed by the organisation. Aset also cited his participation in the management committee of the staff pension and benefits fund and his previous role as vice president of the staff union.

Pase-Cyta response

Pase-Cyta rejected the suggestion that Economides had been appointed as a representative of the union, saying he was appointed “in his personal capacity”.

The union described him as “a worthy, experienced and qualified person” with more than 30 years of service at Cyta, arguing that his experience gave him detailed knowledge of the organisation.

Pase-Cyta also criticised Aset’s intervention, describing it as “misguided, legally unfounded, irregular and politically unacceptable”.

The dispute follows criticism of the process used to appoint boards of semi-government organisations.