Filenews 17 February 2026
Since the implementation of the law on the recruitment of people with disabilities in the wider public sector in 2010 until 2024, there have been only 389, of which 291 concern the Educational Service and only 44 the Public Service, according to data presented at a joint meeting of the Education Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Committee on Tuesday.
The MPs asked for data on whether the legislation that provides for 10% of hires in the wider public sector is being implemented and what can be further done to improve the situation.
Kiki Dimitriadou, representative of the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities (TKEAA), stated that from the beginning of the implementation of the law in 2010 until 2024, the recruitment of people with disabilities in the wider public sector amounted to 389, of which 291 concern the Educational Service and 44 the Public Service.
According to data submitted to the Committee, there are also 10 recruitments in permanent hourly paid positions in the Public Service, 34 fixed-term employees in the Public Service and 10 employees in semi-state organizations.
Ms. Dimitriadou explained that the implementation of the quota is linked to the condition that the candidates meet the criteria of the law for the definition as disabled and are considered suitable for the duties of the position, noting that in several cases rejections occur either because they do not fall under the definition of the law or because suitability for the specific position is not documented, based on its duties and needs.
The representative of the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (KYSOA), Themis Anthopoulou, said that the numbers show a large deviation from the 10% target. It said that assessments often do not take into account "non-visible" effects of disabilities (e.g. severe summer fatigue in multiple sclerosis) and called for a wider review of the framework and criteria. He also suggested that a change be considered so that the quota is not limited only to import positions.
The representative of the Educational Service Committee (EVS) stated that the relevant data and lists are posted publicly, while, as she said, anyone interested can apply both in the general recruitment lists and in the special list.
For her part, the representative of the Public Service Commission (EDY) stated that many applications are rejected because the candidates do not meet the requirements of the service plan of each position, clarifying that this phenomenon concerns applications in general and not only those related to the special list.
Representatives of the Ministries of Education and Finance stated that they support the procedures that are being carried out, noting, however, that they are not involved in the implementation of the law.
The representative of the Office of the Commissioner for Administration stated that complaints are received about rejections of applications for inclusion in the special lists, but added that the Office cannot challenge decisions of the TEAA, as they are based on multidimensional evaluations.
Representatives of trade unions and education organisations also raised issues related to reasonable accommodation, post-recruitment support in the workplace and the practical application of procedures so that integration is meaningful and not just arithmetic. They also noted that one of the reasons for the reduced recruitment of people with disabilities may be the reduced applications of interest for the positions advertised.
The Chairman of the Labour Committee, AKEL MP, Andreas Kafkalias, said that when "the whole system does not work as it should", there is an issue and it must be identified what does not work and what corrections are needed. He asked the competent Deputy Ministry to coordinate co-competent services, in consultation with KYSOA and, where necessary, to proceed with legislative regulations.
He also noted that he cannot come to terms with the low recruitment numbers of people with disabilities in the Public Service. "I can't compromise that only six people were hired in the Civil Service in 2024," he said. He wondered whether changes should be made to the methodology of the multidisciplinary committees and whether more reasonable adjustments are needed.
The Chairman of the Education Committee, DIKO MP, Pavlos Mylonas, stated that it is the duty of the State to support people with disabilities, while at the same time he argued that the service plans are unfair in their entirety and that they must be changed, so that they better meet the real needs and do not operate exclusively.
During the discussion, AKEL MP Christos Christofias wondered whether the recruitment numbers of people with disabilities presented are reasonable and expressed the position that, if they are not, the evaluation criteria should be reviewed. "Do we find it normal for 178 people with disabilities to apply and only 52 to be hired?", he asked.
DIPA Member of Parliament Alekos Tryfonidis stated, among other things, that a culture of acceptance and integration of people with disabilities in the workplace must be cultivated.
CNA
