**Hourly Government Workers to Stage Protest Outside Presidential Palace**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Hourly paid government employees are preparing for a 24-hour nationwide strike and protest march scheduled for Wednesday. The demonstration is expected to disrupt traffic in central Nicosia, particularly around the finance ministry and the presidential palace.
According to an advisory issued by the police on Tuesday, the protest will commence at 10 a.m. outside the finance ministry. Participants will then march toward the presidential palace, which is anticipated to cause temporary road closures in the vicinity, including Byron Avenue and other nearby routes.
The protest is being organized by unions representing hourly paid state workers and comes in response to stalled negotiations regarding a renewed collective agreement. Union representatives have expressed frustration over what they describe as a year-long delay in discussions with the finance ministry. They claim that despite submitting proposals over a year ago, substantive negotiations have yet to begin.
Union leaders are advocating for salary increases and improved employment conditions, emphasizing that the lack of progress in talks has left them with no choice but to take industrial action. They have warned that if an agreement is not reached soon, further strikes and protests could follow.
The police have advised the public to seek alternative routes to avoid the affected areas and to adhere to instructions from officers present during the protest.
As the situation unfolds, the unions hope that the demonstration will bring attention to their demands and prompt a response from the government.