AKEL to investigate firing of prison unionist Giorgos Maltezos

The political party AKEL has announced plans to bring the dismissal of prison officer and unionist Giorgos Maltezos before the Parliamentary Labor Committee. George Koukoumas, spokesperson for AKEL and chairman of the committee, stated that the firing raises serious concerns regarding the protection of trade union rights, which are enshrined in the national constitution, international labor conventions, and domestic legislation. The party is seeking a full explanation from the Ministry of Justice and the prison administration regarding whether these rights were respected.

The party specifically demands clarification on whether necessary facilities were provided for Maltezos to perform his duties as a union representative. Furthermore, AKEL has requested responses concerning allegations made by Maltezos’s union organization, which includes a pending collective complaint currently before the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe. This incident follows a series of ongoing legal disputes involving Maltezos, who is reportedly pushing for criminal charges against several officials.

The matter is set to be formally registered for automatic discussion by the Parliamentary Labor Committee immediately following the resumption of the legislature's activities. The ministry and prison authorities have been called upon to provide accountability regarding the dismissal and the general treatment of staff union rights within the central prison system.