Cyprus Times

389 hirings of people with disabilities in the Public Sector since 2010

Published February 17, 2026, 17:09
389 hirings of people with disabilities in the Public Sector since 2010

Since 2010 until 2024, only 389 people with disabilities have been hired in the wider public sector in Cyprus, according to data presented to Parliament. Of these, 291 hirings relate to the Educational Service and only 44 to the Public Service. These figures reveal a significant discrepancy from the 10% target for hiring people with disabilities stipulated by law. Members of Parliament requested clarification regarding the implementation of the legislation and potential improvements. The representative of the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities (TKEAΑ) stated that the implementation of the quota is linked to the ability of candidates to meet the criteria and requirements of the position. In many cases, applications are rejected because the candidates do not meet the definition of disability or are not deemed suitable for the tasks of the position. Representatives of the Cypriot Confederation of Organizations of Disabled Persons (KYSOA) pointed out that evaluations often do not take into account the “invisible” effects of disabilities and called for a review of the framework and criteria. It was also proposed to examine a change in the way the quota is applied, so that it is not limited only to entry-level positions. Representatives of the Public Service Commission and the Educational Service Commission stated that the lists of candidates are posted publicly and that applications are mostly rejected because they do not meet the requirements of the service schemes. The discussion in Parliament highlighted the need to improve the hiring processes and ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities.