Cyprus’ government-employed doctors will strike for 48 hours at the end of November, having rejected a financial incentive proposal from the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) regarding 2023’s remuneration.
The decision to resume industrial action followed a meeting between PASYKI, the union representing government doctors, and OKYPY. PASYKI President Sotiris Koumas told CNA that the exact dates of the strike would be finalised soon. The union is also in discussions about possibly including Emergency and Accident Departments (TΑΕP) in the strike.
According to Mr Koumas, significant disagreements arose during the meeting regarding the proposed amount for the doctors’ incentives. He explained that OKYPY’s proposal, based on an independent audit, set the incentive at €2.5 million, while PASYKI insists on €4.5 million to fairly compensate doctors for 2023.
In July, an independent audit firm was commissioned by both OKYPY and doctors in coordination with the Health Minister to calculate the doctors’ incentives for 2023.
Speaking to the press, Mr Koumas labelled OKYPY’s offer as “disparaging” and called on the Health Minister to intervene. He further insisted that “the agreement cannot be selectively interpreted and applied” and questioned why OKYPY only provided details of the proposal 16 hours before the meeting.
Mr Koumas stated that the audit report had been completed in September but OKYPY had delayed in sharing its findings until now. He expressed disappointment with the amount, describing it as an “insult” to the profession.
With doctors working tirelessly, Mr Koumas stressed that other officials need to meet their obligations and shoulder their responsibilities to secure the sustainability of public hospitals in Cyprus.
