Pasydy seeks meeting with president over suspension of tourism ministry official

Nicosia, Cyprus. The main civil servants’ union on Monday called for a meeting with the president to discuss the suspension of a senior official at the deputy tourism ministry, saying the measure was disproportionate. Pasydy was referring to the suspension of permanent secretary Neofytos Papadopoulos for three months pending a disciplinary inquiry.

Union objections

Pasydy said the Public Service Commission had acted with undue haste in ordering Papadopoulos’ suspension, which followed a recommendation by Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis. The union also objected to the decision to reduce Papadopoulos’ salary by half during the suspension period.

Pasydy noted that the pay reduction is the maximum permitted under civil service rules. It warned that the action could create a precedent and said Papadopoulos should instead have been transferred to another department until the disciplinary investigation was completed.

Suspension procedure

Under the procedure, Koumis submitted a recommendation to the cabinet for the suspension. The cabinet then formally requested the suspension from the Public Service Commission, which approved the request last Thursday.

Background to the case

Pasydy said it wants civil servants who show initiative, have an opinion and exercise professional judgment, rather than employees who are fearful and carry out instructions and decisions even when these are irregular or illegal.

Koumis has accused Papadopoulos of insubordination and of creating a toxic climate at the deputy tourism ministry.