**Hourly Government Workers on Strike, Services Affected**
Hourly paid government employees in Cyprus commenced a 24-hour strike at midnight, advocating for increased wages and enhanced employment conditions as part of ongoing negotiations for their collective agreement covering the period from 2025 to 2027. The strike, organized by the trade unions SEK, PEO, and Deok, is set to conclude at midnight on Wednesday.
The unions are specifically demanding that any salary increases be applied retroactively from January 1, 2025. This call for action reflects the workers' desire for fair compensation and better working conditions as they seek to renew their collective agreement.
In conjunction with the strike, a protest rally is scheduled to take place in Nicosia, with participants expected to gather outside the finance ministry at 10 AM before marching towards the presidential palace. The planned demonstration is anticipated to disrupt traffic in central Nicosia, particularly around key government buildings.
The impact of the strike is expected to be significant, affecting various state services. Reports indicate that public health services may experience disruptions, and lifeguard services at beaches could be impacted as well. Additionally, museums and other public facilities may remain closed throughout the duration of the strike.
As the situation develops, the unions and government representatives are likely to continue discussions in hopes of reaching an agreement that satisfies the demands of the hourly workers while ensuring the continuity of essential services. The outcome of this strike and the negotiations that follow will be closely monitored by both the public and government officials.