A TRADE union yesterday accused the government of lack of meritocracy, referring specifically to the ministries of Health and Labour.
SEK, which is affiliated to opposition DISY, said it had expected things to be corrected since last year, when it reported certain cases in a meeting with President Demetris Christofias.
But instead of that, things have become worse, the union said in a written statement.
“SEK submitted before parliament last week, data that proves the Christofias government is a champion in nepotism,” the union said.
In the front line of this “unacceptable behaviour” are the ministries of health and labour, SEK added.
Referring to Health Minister Christos Patsalides, SEK said he was incapable of putting his ministry in order.
“The minister remains an indifferent spectator to an orgy of favouritism towards AKEL supporters,” SEK said.
The union accused the minister of being afraid to dismantle the “hiring mechanism” set up by his AKEL predecessors, suggesting he was being humiliated while a certain ministry official – that was not named – continued to obey the party.
The union also charged Labour Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous of bearing huge responsibility for the situation.
Patsalides responded later in the day, describing the accusations as “unfair.”
“It is not possible for the employment of every cleaner and messenger to be known to the minister,” Patsalides said.
He added that it was not proper for a minister to intervene.
“The minister intervenes when any injustice is spotted,” he said.
He asked SEK to submit to him any evidence it had so that they could be investigated.
“If my guilt arises from the fact that I do not intervene, then I am guilty,” Patsalides said.
However, he added, “Where there is an injustice, the minister should be informed so that he can examine the accusations.”
Patsalides said he will meet SEK general secretary Nicos Moiseos today to discuss the matter. Charalambous also responded yesterday saying she was “quite surprised” by the announcement.
“Surprised by the tone, timing and all that was said about me personally as Labour Minister, but also by extension the ministry I head,” she added.
The minister countered that all hiring was handled by the various departments and services, while hiring procedures were set by the Joint Personnel Committee, in which the unions are also represented.
The ministry’s role in hiring starts and stops with the preparation of a list of people who will be called to turn up for interviews, which is prepared based on strict criteria, she said.
The only action taken by her was to modernise the procedure to increase transparency, said Charalambous.
