CyprusEconomy

Government workers strike: demands, duration, and disruptions

By: SigmaLive English

Date:

Hourly-paid staff begin 24-hour walkout

Hourly-paid government employees across Cyprus are taking part in a 24-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday, demanding pay rises and improved employment conditions as negotiations continue over a new collective agreement for 2025-2027.

The strike, organised by the unions OEKDY-SEK, PASYEK-PEO and DEE KDOKO-DEOK, began at midnight and will continue until midnight on Wednesday.

Workers are seeking salary increases and additional benefits with retrospective effect from 1 January 2025.

Protest march planned in Nicosia

As part of the industrial action, striking employees are holding a protest gathering outside the Ministry of Finance at 10:00 before marching to the Presidential Palace.

The demonstration aims to highlight both the workers’ demands and the contribution of hourly-paid staff to the functioning of the public sector.

Services affected across Cyprus

The strike is expected to impact a number of government services.

The Ministry of Interior has warned that lifeguard coverage at beaches across Cyprus may be affected and urged the public to exercise caution when swimming or taking part in water activities.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus Union of Government Doctors (PASYKI) said it would not accept any attempt to shift responsibility for disruptions caused by the strike onto doctors working in public hospitals.

While expressing understanding for the workers’ demands, PASYKI said responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of public hospitals during the strike rests solely with the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY), which it said should have prepared the necessary operational plans in advance.

Hospitals operating with safety staff

In its own statement, OKYPY said public hospitals would operate with safety personnel in place, giving “absolute priority to patient safety and the uninterrupted management of emergency cases”.

Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) will continue operating as normal, while care for hospitalised patients is not expected to be affected.

Also read: Hourly-paid government staff strike: Which sectors are affected?
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