Security guard suspended for pushing woman at welfare office (video)

A security guard has been suspended from his job at the Welfare Office after a video showed him manhandling a woman, head of the welfare services Maria Kyratzi said on Friday.

According to statements Kyratzi made to offsite.com.cy, her department has requested an internal investigation into the matter. She added that the man is not a permanent member of staff but a contracted employee from the private sector.

The incident was caught on video, and shows the man pushing the woman after she throws her bag at him.

Police said the man got into the altercation with the woman after she started yelling in the offices.

https://youtu.be/4moDWY0sXo0

Following the incident, the woman was allowed to return to the office to make her request.

After the video was shared on the internet, Disy MP and head of the House human rights committee Stella Kyriakidou said that there is zero tolerance towards violence on the part of any man or woman.

Akel MP Skevi Koukouma said that incident was unacceptable.

She added that the welfare service needs to explain what measures will be taken so such an incident does not occur again.

“For example, what was the education and the training of this specific individual and the other individuals that work for the welfare services? Did the Labour Ministry request that individuals in such positions receive specific evaluation, education, and training?”

The incident was made public on Friday, but happened at the welfare offices on Wednesday.

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