The former Community Council (CC) of Paliometocho unlawfully dismissed one of its employees, who was subsequently rehired by the new Council, but was owed €311,718, of which only €77,402 has been paid so far.
The issue of dismissal went to court (where the employee appealed), and he was vindicated.
Reference is made to a report by the Auditor General concerning all communities, which states that the CC of Paliometocho even disregarded decisions of the Supreme Court.
The report also states: “It is summarized that regarding the above matter, all actions of the previous CC, which systematically ignored and continuously defied successive condemnatory decisions by the Supreme Court, were illegal and detrimental both to the public in general and to the Community in particular.
Examining the issue, the Auditor General states that the CC terminated the service of the aforementioned employee and he was rehired after compliance with court decisions. The financial statements for the year 2018 show salary and benefit arrears to a Council employee resulting from the decision of the previous Community Council to place him on compulsory leave with benefits, on standby, and to dismiss him, decisions deemed illegal by the competent courts.
Based on the above, the decisions of the members of the previous CC make it (as a collective administrative body) entirely and fully responsible for mismanagement, as its decisions burden the Council’s approved Budget and create unnecessary expenses and overspending without approval.
The same report also states:
The extent of the problem is clearly described in the relevant decision of the Supreme Court, dated 30.7.2015, which was a blow to the CC stating that “the overall picture supports the applicant’s (employee’s) view of a now persecutory disposition against him.”
After the election of the new CC, which began its duties on 1.1.2017, it was decided to reinstate the employee and comply with the relevant judicial decisions. It is noted that the aforementioned employee requested additional leave, legal, and medical expenses to be paid to him.
The said employee resumed his duties on 1.1.2017 with the assumption of duties by the new Community Council.
Finally, it is noted that the Community Council does not have the financial capability to pay the amounts owed to the employee and to the state (Tax Commissioner, Social Security, etc.).
