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The Social Services Officers Branch of PASYDY dismissed reports about an elderly woman in Larnaca allegedly being locked inside her home and living in poor conditions, calling the information “completely inaccurate.”
In a statement Thursday, the union said the claims circulating online and in some media outlets distort the facts and unfairly attack the credibility of the Social Welfare Services and their staff.
The group said officers had never received any complaint about abuse involving the woman before the case reached police attention. Once authorities notified them, the statement said, social workers acted “within 24 hours” to protect the woman and secure proper care “in an environment that safeguards her dignity.”
The union condemned what it described as attempts to blame social service officers for alleged neglect, saying such accusations “serve only to discredit the essential work” of welfare professionals.
PASYDY’s branch also urged the public and government to confront a broader question: “Do we want a scapegoat to blame when tragedy strikes, or a functioning welfare system that prevents such cases before they occur?”
The statement said a true welfare state depends on cooperation among multiple agencies including health, education, police, courts, and local authorities, not only the Social Welfare Services.
The branch called for sweeping reforms, including new legislation to expand responsibilities, add staff, and reduce excessive workloads. It said the long-delayed reorganization of Social Services must be completed without further delay.
“We need to move beyond promises to real action and funding,” the union said. “Otherwise, the next citizen’s tragedy will only bring the same questions and the same search for someone to blame.”
