Philenews

Police Working Hours: Impasse Continues - Fytiris Warns of Consequences - Unions Threaten Legal Action

Published January 2, 2026, 15:13
Police Working Hours: Impasse Continues - Fytiris Warns of Consequences - Unions Threaten Legal Action

The meeting between the Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, and representatives of the police unions ended in a deadlock, as both sides remain uncompromising regarding the new working hours imposed on over 1,000 police officers. Mr. Fytiris expressed his full support for the decision of the Chief of Police, while the unions state they will continue to fight for its reversal but will comply with the circular. The Minister warned that anyone deviating from the implementation of the new schedule would face consequences, while emphasizing that the change was not a political decision. On their side, the union representatives accused the Chief of Police of insinuations of corruption and abuse of overtime, while expressing their dissatisfaction with the reduction in police rest days. According to the union representatives, the new regulation reduces rest days from one every 20 days to one every 76 days. They are considering resorting to legal means, such as the Mixed Police Committee and the European Court, to challenge the decision. The situation remains tense and resolving the issue appears difficult.