**Government Moves to Tackle Perennial Sick Leave Abuse by Civil Servants**
The Cypriot government is set to implement structural changes aimed at addressing the misuse of sick leave among civil servants. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over employees who have been absent from work for extended periods while still receiving their salaries. Labour Minister Marinos Mousiottas announced these plans on Monday following a meeting with key ministers, including Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, and Health Minister Michael Damianos.
Mousiottas highlighted that while the issue was initially raised concerning prison staff, it extends to various sectors within the public service. "The issue also exists in other government services where it appears there is abuse by a small proportion of employees of the right to sick leave," he stated. This acknowledgment follows recent criticisms from Fitiris regarding the conduct of some prison officers, particularly amid ongoing disputes over working conditions and necessary reforms within the prison system.
Under the current regulations, civil servants can take sick leave for up to 42 days before being referred to a medical board for evaluation. If the leave is approved, employees may receive full pay for up to six months, followed by an additional six months at half pay. However, Mousiottas pointed out a troubling trend where employees often return to work for a single day only to take sick leave again the next day, effectively resetting their leave entitlement. "What usually happens at the end of the six months is that the employee returns to work for one day and the next day goes back on sick leave," he explained.
The Labour Minister noted that authorities have identified cases of public sector employees who have been absent for many years. He raised concerns about the lack of timely reviews for these cases, questioning how individuals could remain on sick leave for as long as seven years without being referred to a medical board. "The question was raised that if someone has been absent from work for seven years, how has the matter not been referred to a medical board?" he asked.
During the meeting, Mousiottas provided examples of specific cases, including a coast guard employee unable to serve on a vessel due to medical conditions and a teacher suffering from agoraphobia, preventing them from teaching in a classroom environment. These examples underscore the complexity of the issue, as some employees genuinely require extended leave for legitimate health reasons.
The ministers reached a consensus on the necessity for reforms, with Mousiottas stating that there was a clear agreement on the need for immediate action. "There was decisiveness from those attending the meeting and the position was that we must immediately move forward with structural measures so that this issue will subside," he said. The proposed reforms are expected to apply across the entire public sector rather than targeting specific departments.
The issue of sick leave abuse has gained increased attention following remarks made by Justice Minister Fitiris, who expressed frustration over the number of sick days taken by some prison officers. Speaking to Alpha television, he stated, "It is not possible for some people to take 200 days of sick leave and protest outside my office." Fitiris emphasized that employees should fulfill their responsibilities before making demands, although he acknowledged that many prison guards perform their duties diligently.
Mousiottas noted that the Justice Ministry is already gathering information regarding long-term absences while adhering to data protection laws. He reiterated that the problem of sick leave abuse affects only a small minority of public servants, stating, "I was surprised to see a large number of civil servants who never made use of these benefits."
As the government prepares to implement these structural changes, it aims to create a more accountable and efficient public sector workforce while ensuring that those with legitimate health concerns receive the support they need. The proposed reforms reflect a commitment to addressing systemic issues within civil service leave policies, promoting fairness and integrity in public employment.