A wave of apprehension has swept through the Cypriot police force following recent announcements by the Police Chief regarding potential adjustments to officers' working hours and annual leave. Two major police unions, Pasydy and the Police Association, jointly expressed strong opposition on Tuesday. They argued that these proposed changes were announced unilaterally, which they believe infringes upon established labour agreements and protocols.
These objections arose shortly after the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Konstantinos Fytiris, concluded departmental tours on Monday. During these visits to police stations in Famagusta and Larnaca, as well as the Air Operations Unit, the Minister sought direct feedback from officers. His intention was to understand their operational challenges and gather perspectives on improving public safety. Ironically, this initiative aimed at strengthening law enforcement seems to have unintentionally sparked considerable discontent among the very personnel it intended to support.
The unions' primary concerns stem from the specifics of the proposed alterations. Reports suggest that daily work schedules will be significantly modified, and annual leave days could be drastically reduced. This proposed reduction is reportedly from 19.5 days down to just 4.7 days. Such a change stands in sharp contrast to previous decisions, including a 2019 reduction in administrative staff hours and a 2017 agreement to gradually align police working hours with those of the general public service over three years. The unions view these current proposals as a step backward, undoing years of negotiated improvements in work-life balance.
A spokesperson for the unions conveyed their collective feeling of profound "discomfort and indignation" regarding the Police Chief's public disclosure of these changes. They maintained that significant alterations of this nature should have been thoroughly discussed and negotiated with union representatives beforehand. The unions have issued a serious warning: proceeding without their consent would be a severe violation of labour rights. This could also irrevocably damage trust between police management and union leadership, negatively impacting industrial relations within the force.
Meanwhile, Minister Fytiris emphasized the paramount importance of public security, stating, "Citizens demand security, and we are taking that seriously." His recent visits are part of a broader strategy to enhance police visibility across the island. This strategy includes increasing patrols, conducting more targeted checks, and implementing proactive operations in high-risk areas. The Minister's ultimate goal is to restore public confidence in law enforcement and ensure citizens feel adequately protected. However, the current labour dispute presents a significant obstacle to achieving this objective smoothly, highlighting the delicate balance needed between operational effectiveness and officer welfare. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining if a compromise can be reached or if this disagreement will escalate into a prolonged industrial conflict.