Filenews 23 September 2025 - by Despina Psyllou
Sexual harassment of workers is a reality in both the public and private sectors. The legislation does not seem to protect victims and is not adequately implemented, while at the same time there is an issue of misunderstanding between competent services. These were reported to the Parliament's Human Rights Committee during an examination of the issue "Violation of victims' rights in the public service due to inadequate implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Response to Harassment and Sexual Harassment at Work", which was inscribed by MP Alexandra Attalidou. The reason for the discussion was also the incidents that recently brought to light by publications of "F", about sexual harassment of officials of the Ministry of Education by their supervisor, who was vindicated in a disciplinary investigation, promoted but is now being prosecuted.
As it became clear during the discussion, the incidents of sexual harassment at work that are reported are few and the complaints in question are scattered across various services and departments. At the same time, a distortion in the handling they receive is underlined, as the nature of the offense is downgraded.
It is absurd for sexual harassment to be a matter of out-of-court settlement and it was wrong to include such a provision in the legislation, underlined on behalf of the Equality Committee of the Ministry of Labour, Eleni Kouzoupi, on the way this offense is handled at work. "There are different labour relations. There are many areas that are grey zones," he underlined, among other things. On the part of the Service and due to incidents, it was decided to carry out trainings for prevention purposes.
On the part of the Commissioner for Administration, Nasia Dionysiou, underlined that "it took us 15 years and a conviction to establish a Code". However, he said, the Code does not impose powers and responsibilities, it is not legislation. "It is simply informing employers and employees. There is no new procedure," he underlined and indicated that the legislation is from 2022. When a complaint is filed, said Ms. Dionysiou, then - if it is of a light form and if the victim wishes - a solution can be found within the service. "If the victim disagrees, then a disciplinary procedure is activated," he said.
We found, he also said, that sexual harassment in the public service was not recognized and after representations by the Commissioner's office, it was included. In the past, he said, there had been an investigation into sexual harassment and when they asked for the file they found that the investigation had not been done properly, as a result of which they recommended that disciplinary action be conducted. "In a recent complaint, we initiated disciplinary action. We also suspected that the testimonies were not given correctly and we called the witnesses to testify to us as well."
In relation to the recent case being examined by the Ministry of Education, Ms. Dionysiou wondered, "How can we proceed? They answer us from the Ministry of Education that they are waiting for the position of the Legal Service. But, at the moment, the law is being violated and the Ministry is committing an offense," he said. "We feel that we are dealing with gaps or weaknesses in the system," he said, adding that we must not ignore that actions have also been taken.
On the part of the Police, it was reported that there are ongoing procedures and there are convictions, even a prison sentence for sexual abuse at work. It was also mentioned that sexual harassment was incorporated into the Police Code and is now a disciplinary offense. Regarding complaints to the Police, it was reported that there were two in the summer of 2024.
Yiannis Panagiotou: "Not all cases are the same"
"If the victims are left exposed, then the policy has failed," underlined the Minister of Labour, Yiannis Panagiotou and added his belief that they are moving in the right direction and will have the desired results as soon as possible.
"We should not blame the framework that is in force. The penal code is one thing, the labour legislation is another. One or the other should not be affected. Not all cases are the same. We must all together protect the procedures in place to improve them. And not to create doubts among the victims about the will that exists, to protect them," he said at another point.
The Minister also said that the goal is to implement the legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all. Sexual harassment is related to gender and that is why it is important to change culture, he pointed out. Today, he said, 80% of citizens are at work. This is achieved by the inclusion of women in the market, with their percentage amounting to 75% today, i.e. several points higher than in the past.
Important steps have been taken, and more thorough ones need to be taken to ensure a sense of security at work, he said. Regarding the incidents, the Minister stated that the imposition of evidence for the purpose of conducting an investigation by the inspectors of the Ministry of Labour is mandatory under the legislation and otherwise penalties are provided if someone overlooks or prevents the submission of evidence or a document in relation to a complaint. "I am not aware of a case that is under examination and has an incomplete file," said Mr. Panagiotou.
For his part, the director of the Department of Labour, Alexandros Alexandrou, noted that over a period of three years they have received 10 complaints. Specifically, in 2022 they received four complaints, in 2023 one and in 2024 they received five. "All of them have been investigated," he underlined.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, the officer Lisa Loizou, stated that they operate within the framework of the procedures when they receive a complaint. "If the Department of Labour Inspection asks us for the case file, we must receive an opinion from the Legal Service, because personal data is involved," he underlined.
Unprotected victims according to the organizations
The procedures for the victims are labyrinthine, the representative of PASYDY complained during the discussion. The protection of the workers was requested by a representative of the organization Equality. On the part of SEK, it was underlined that they did not receive any complaint, otherwise they would have contacted the Ministry of Labor. On behalf of POGO, it was stated that there are Codes and Legislation that is not implemented. On behalf of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies, Christina Kaili pointed out that the process must be modernized and a protocol created.
MPs condemn
AKEL MP and vice-president of the Committee, Giorgos Koukoumas, referred to harassing messages, touching and even an unwanted kiss. As she said, sexual harassment at work is a form of gender-based violence and discrimination.
MP Alexandra Attalidou underlined that sexual harassment is the worst form of harassment at work. What is needed, he said, is to ensure that victims can complain while enjoying the security that they will not face retaliation for their complaint. In August 2024, he said, Ms. Attalidou submitted questions to the Ministry of Education, as part of parliamentary control, but did not receive clear answers.
MP Rita Superman referred to a very serious issue for which actions have been taken. However, he said, there is a gap between the legislation and its implementation. "There should be no delays in the justice process." He also wondered how it is possible for sexual harassment not to be treated as a criminal offense from the first moment.
