THE ISLAND’s civil service came to a half-hour standstill yesterday morning following a work stoppage called by the PASYDY trade union over allegations made by Competition Protection Committee staff over the “dictatorial behaviour” of Committee Chairman George Christofides.
CPC workers are accusing their boss of oppressive surveillance, tampering with documents, and running the agency with an iron fist. According to the employees, the offices of the CPC are wired to the hilt with surveillance cameras and microphones.
The workers also accuse Christofides of monitoring their emails and telephone conversations.
The General Secretary of PASYDY, the blanket civil servants’ union, said the aim of the union was to condemn all that was taking place at the CPC and send out some messages.
Glafcos Hadjipetrou described the situation as, “extremely serious”, given that the allegations concerned violations of fundamental constitutional provisions touching an individual’s right to privacy.
Asked if it would have been better for PASYDY to have waited for the completion of the ongoing police investigation, Hadjipetrou said that possible criminal offences and violations of existing personal data laws were one thing, and union matters were another.
Fundamental state services at hospitals and airports were not affected by yesterday’s strike, which began at 10am.
Shortly after the end of the stoppage, authorities again visited the CPC’s Nicosia headquarters and were there for nearly four hours. Electronics experts sifted through video and sound footage as part of the ongoing investigation, the results of which will be submitted to the Attorney-general. Petros Clerides will then decide whether criminal charges should be brought.
Speaking from Corfu, Christofides told state radio that he was fully aware of the latest developments and was co-operating fully with the police. However, he stressed that electronic equipment situated in the building should not be removed, as it is necessary for the organisation’s security.
Last Friday, staff at the CPC offices staged an impromptu strike to protest against what they described as “unacceptable conditions that violate their human rights”.
Shortly after the walkout, PASYDY said it had instructed its members working at the CPC to declare an indefinite strike.
The CPC board is due to meet with President Tassos Papadopoulos on Monday to discuss the matter.
Asked whether he would be attending, Christofides said he was, “at the President’s disposal, but didn’t know yet whether he would be there.”
Sidebar
It was yesterday announced that Christofides, who is also President of the Cyprus Associations and Clubs of UNESCO, has been elected President of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations and Clubs for the next four years.
The election took place during the World Congress of UNESCO Associations and Clubs held between July 11 and 12 in Athens.
Christofides secured 19 votes, three more than his nearest rival.
The World Federation of UNESCO Associations and Clubs is made up of 4,000 associations and club members worldwide.
A total of 192 member-states of the United Nations are represented in UNESCO, the UN agency dealing with issues such as education, science and culture.
