Government hospital doctors in Cyprus are set to go on a two-day strike at the end of the month following an unsuccessful meeting with OKYPY, the State Health Services Organisation. The doctors rejected OKYPY’s offer of €2.5 million for unpaid dues related to services rendered in 2023, instead demanding €4.5 million.
Speaking to the media, PASYKI union representative Sotiris Koumas explained that they had already lowered their expectations from €4.7 million to €4.5 million but were unwilling to accept anything lower. He added that unless an acceptable agreement is reached, the strike action may continue.
During the meeting, Mr Koumas noted, “The issue of unpaid dues goes back to a shared August 7 meeting with the Health Minister and an independent audit firm, tasked with calculating the amount due. However, OKYPY refuses to provide minutes from this meeting, calling it ‘informal.’”
OKYPY spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou countered that the organisation has already provided €16.6 million as general incentives for doctors and planned to allocate €19.1 million for 2023. He stated that OKYPY’s €2.5 million proposal was based on findings from the independent audit firm and argued that the study results support their offer.
Mr Koumas responded, questioning the organisation’s claims: “We are talking about an amount that is not only inadequate but also dismissive towards the doctors. If OKYPY has other findings, they should present them.”
The strike and OKYPY’s stance continue to bring Cyprus’s public health sector to the fore, highlighting longstanding disputes over pay, conditions, and proper remuneration.
Also read: Doctors reject OKYPY proposal and announce 48-hour strike
