**Firefighters Lose Appeal for On-Call Compensation in Cyprus**
A group of firefighters in Cyprus has faced a setback in their pursuit of compensation for on-call duties, as the Court of Appeal has upheld a previous ruling that rejected their claims. The legal service announced the decision on Tuesday, marking the end of a legal challenge that spanned several years.
The appeal involved firefighters who were placed on standby duty between 2006 and 2015, a period during which the fire service was operating under the auspices of the police. The firefighters argued that their claims for compensation were supported by European Union regulations regarding working time.
However, the court's judgment clarified that the relevant EU directive concerning the organization of working time does not address employee remuneration, thus lacking the legal basis for the compensation sought by the firefighters. The court accepted the argument presented by the legal service, which indicated that decisions about payment for standby duties fall under the jurisdiction of individual EU member states rather than being governed by EU law.
The court further determined that the responsibility for evaluating the firefighters' request for compensation lay with the police, who had authority over the fire brigade during the specified timeframe. Upon reviewing the case, the court found that the police had adequately justified their decision to deny the firefighters' request.
A significant factor in the court's decision was the absence of any legislative framework that governs compensation for standby duty in Cyprus. The judgment noted that the institution of on-call service "has not been legally established," and there are no provisions outlining payment for time spent on standby. Consequently, the court concluded that the lack of existing legislation could not be addressed through retroactive judicial intervention.
This ruling has implications for the firefighters involved, as it effectively closes the door on their legal pursuit for compensation for the specified period. The case highlights ongoing discussions about employee rights and remuneration within the context of public service roles in Cyprus.
As the legal landscape evolves, the decision may prompt further examination of labor laws and regulations regarding on-call duties in various sectors. For now, the firefighters must accept the court's ruling, which underscores the complexities of navigating compensation claims within the framework of national and EU law.