The State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) believes there is considerable room for further dialogue with trade unions and has urged them to avoid hasty action ahead of a planned 48-hour strike by its employees on 10 and 11 November.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) following the strike announcement, OKYPY spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou said the organisation remains ready to discuss and clarify its positions with all parties involved.
He stressed that the organisation’s priority is its workforce and employees’ wellbeing.
Progress in negotiations over working conditions
According to Charilaou, substantial progress has been made during consultations on issues directly affecting employees’ working conditions and daily responsibilities.
These include remote working arrangements, annual leave and employment schemes.
He also explained that efforts are underway to resolve outstanding matters arising from the previous collective agreement.
Among these are the introduction of salary scales and the development of organisational structures for all categories of staff.
Regarding administrative personnel, Charilaou said relevant positions have been included in the organisation’s 2027 budget.
Meanwhile, negotiations concerning doctors are at a very advanced stage.
For other professional groups, an internal study will be conducted to identify and assess their specific needs.
Annual salary increases and legislative amendments
Addressing annual salary increments, the OKYPY spokesperson confirmed that a relevant decision has already been taken by the Council of Ministers.
He added that a proposal to amend the existing legislation is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives during November.
Disagreement over performance-based salary increases
The main point of disagreement between OKYPY and trade unions concerns the proposal to link part of employees’ salary increases to a performance evaluation system.
Charilaou expressed the organisation’s position that such a system could provide fairer recognition of each employee’s contribution and performance, ultimately benefiting patients.
He explained that the proposed evaluation would assess employees’ professional competence, patient management, behaviour towards patients and the quality of care provided.
“When we talk about evaluation, we mean scientific competence, the way someone manages a patient, how they behave towards them and how they care for them,” he said.
According to Charilaou, introducing a culture of performance evaluation within the organisation would directly benefit both patients and employees.
Call for continued dialogue
OKYPY maintains that further negotiations remain possible and has called on trade unions to continue discussions rather than proceed with the announced strike.
The organisation reiterated its willingness to explain its proposals and work towards resolving the outstanding disagreements.
The 48-hour strike is currently scheduled for 10 and 11 November.
Source: Cyprus News Agency (CNA)
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