PASYDY Secretary-General Stratis Matheou said proposals to improve the public service reform will be submitted to President Nikos Christodoulides by the end of September following discussions between the union leadership and the government.
Speaking to Politis Radio 107.6 and 97.6 on the programme Morning Briefing after Tuesday's meeting between PASYDY's Central Secretariat and the president, Mr Matheou said the discussions covered a broad range of issues.
The meeting was also attended by the ministers of Finance and Labour.
According to Mr Matheou, participants examined problems arising from the implementation of the reform, the status of employees on fixed-term and indefinite contracts, government building infrastructure, the state's digital transformation, career progression for lower-paid public servants and proposed legislation concerning recruitment procedures.
"We do not want to dismantle the reform. We want to make improvements so that it is functional and the procedures are merit-based," Mr Matheou said.
Promotion system under review
Mr Matheou devoted particular attention to promotion examinations, arguing that the current system places excessive emphasis on memorisation of general legislation rather than knowledge relevant to the work of individual departments.
He said that interdepartmental promotions to Grade A13 positions can result in officials being transferred to departments where they lack in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
"At A13 level you are on the front line of decision-making. You must guide staff and make decisions on matters relating to that particular department," he said.
Following the meeting, it was agreed that a joint working group comprising representatives of the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Finance and PASYDY would be established.
The group will prepare recommendations for submission to the president by the end of September.
Concerns over lower-paid staff
Mr Matheou also highlighted difficulties in attracting staff to lower-paid positions.
He noted that the starting gross salary for employees on the A2 scale is approximately €1,260 per month before deductions.
"The level of interest is no longer what it once was and we are having difficulty filling positions," he said.
He stressed that PASYDY is not seeking salary increases but rather faster salary progression for lower-paid employees.
Sick leave and remote work
On sick leave, Mr Matheou said the union supports efforts to address abuses of the system but rejected what he described as generalisations directed at all public servants.
Addressing remote work, he said:
"Teleworking is work, not leave."
He added that remote working arrangements can be effective provided there are measurable criteria and meaningful oversight of productivity.
