woman firefighter — A woman firefighter has been awarded €10,000 in damages after a court found the Fire Service discriminated against her by providing inadequate training and ill-fitting equipment. This landmark ruling by the Labour Disputes Court in Paphos highlights issues of gender discrimination that have plagued the fire service.
Woman firefighter: Discriminatory Treatment in the Fire Service
The court determined that the firefighter experienced direct gender discrimination during her tenure at Paphos Airport Fire Station, which lasted three years and three months. She was forced to wear boots three sizes too large and was denied training opportunities that her male peers received.
Details of the Case
Initially appointed to the Police on 6 April 2009, the woman transferred to the Fire Service on 27 July 2009, where she was stationed at Paphos Fire Station. The ruling marks a significant moment in the fight against gender discrimination within the Fire Service, as it is the first case where a firefighter has successfully claimed damages for such treatment.
Boots and Training Denied
The court found that the firefighter was issued special airport fire boots in size 42, despite her actual shoe size being 39. This continued for the entirety of her service at the airport. In addition, she was not provided training on new airport fire vehicles from late October 2015 to early January 2018, while her male colleagues received this essential training, despite her possessing a valid fire vehicle driving licence.
Legal Proceedings and Claims
In 2018, the firefighter sought €50,000 in damages through her lawyer, E. Korakidis, claiming that she faced a hostile work environment and was subjected to intimidating behaviour from a male sergeant who was favoured by her superiors. She highlighted that her transfer to the Paphos airport station was done without proper approval and resulted in significant additional travel costs that were not reimbursed.
Counterarguments from the Attorney General
The Attorney General’s office contested her claims, asserting that there was no gender discrimination and that her case was filed beyond the one-year limitation period. They argued that the matter fell under a civil servant-public authority relationship, thus outside the jurisdiction of the Labour Court.
Court’s Findings
After reviewing the evidence and applicable legislation regarding gender discrimination, the judges—E. Konstantinou (president), S. Delitsikkou, and M. Filippidis—determined that while there was no broad negative environment against female firefighters, the specific instances of discrimination were clear. They found she had been denied training and provided with unsuitable boots, both of which constituted direct gender discrimination.
Compensation Awarded
The judges ruled that the firefighter deserved moral and compensatory damages for the discrimination she faced. They awarded her €6,000 for the training she was denied and €4,000 for the ill-fitting boots, with the total including interest calculated from 2014.
Significance of the Ruling
This case sets a precedent for future claims of gender discrimination within the Fire Service and highlights the need for systemic change. It underscores the importance of equal treatment in training and equipment provision, regardless of gender.
Gender Equality in Cyprus
The case also reflects broader issues of gender equality in Cyprus, which currently ranks last among EU countries for gender equality. As such cases come to light, they may foster discussions and initiatives aimed at improving conditions for female firefighters and other public sector workers.
