AKEL contests the dismissal of unionized prison officer Georgios Maltezos

The opposition party AKEL has announced it will bring the dismissal of unionized prison officer Georgios Maltezos before the Parliamentary Labor Committee. AKEL spokesperson and Committee Chairman, Giorgos Koukoumas, stated that the firing raises serious concerns regarding the protection of trade union rights, which are guaranteed by the Constitution, international labor conventions, and national legislation. The party has demanded that the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Department provide formal explanations regarding the disciplinary process and the adherence to labor laws.

In response, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order rejected claims that the dismissal was linked to union activities. The Ministry asserted that while union rights are protected, they cannot serve as a shield against non-compliance with legal and operational regulations within the prison system. Officials stated that the decision to terminate Maltezos’s employment was based solely on findings from an internal disciplinary investigation. The Ministry expressed its readiness to discuss the matter in Parliament, maintaining that all staff must adhere to official instructions and that no individual is above the law. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Maltezos is pursuing further legal action, including an appeal to the Supreme Court and a complaint to the European Committee of Social Rights.