**Hourly-Paid State Workers Set for Nationwide Strike Over Pay Dispute**
Hourly-paid government employees in Cyprus are preparing to stage a 24-hour nationwide strike next Wednesday, following escalating tensions regarding negotiations for a new collective agreement covering the period from 2025 to 2027. The decision was announced by trade unions representing these workers, who have accused the finance ministry of delaying discussions that they argue are crucial for improving pay and working conditions.
The unions, including the civil servants’ union (Oekdy-Sek), the worker’s federation (Peo), and the democratic labour union (Deok), expressed frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations that have reportedly stalled for over a year. They claim that proposals for a new agreement were submitted well in advance, but substantive discussions have yet to take place. The unions argue that the repeated delays have hindered any meaningful dialogue, with the finance ministry failing to provide justifiable reasons for the prolonged absence of negotiations.
Central to the dispute are demands for salary increases and enhanced employment benefits for hourly-paid workers, many of whom are reportedly earning wages close to the statutory minimum wage in Cyprus. Union representatives highlighted that these workers are facing increasing difficulties in meeting basic living expenses, making the need for improved compensation more urgent.
Approximately 7,500 hourly-paid employees are employed across various ministries and government departments, with an additional 1,700 working for the state health services organization (Okypy). This workforce encompasses a range of roles, including technical, maintenance, operational, and support positions. The unions have emphasized that improving salaries and working conditions is essential to ensuring a decent standard of living for these employees, who they describe as among the lowest paid in the public sector.
In their joint statement, the unions expressed concern that hourly-paid government employees often receive lower wages than their counterparts performing similar roles in the private sector. They noted that this situation has persisted for an extended period, leading to a growing sense of frustration among workers. The unions pointed out that this is the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus that the renewal of a collective agreement for hourly-paid government staff has faced such significant delays without a mutually acceptable resolution.
The finance ministry has been focusing on managing public expenditure, a strategy that unions argue should not come at the expense of low-paid state workers. The unions have called for the government to take tangible steps to support these employees and to expedite negotiations for a new agreement without further delays.
As the planned strike approaches, union representatives have warned that if progress is not made and an agreement is not reached for the 2025 to 2027 period, further industrial action may follow. The unions are determined to advocate for their members' rights and to ensure that their voices are heard in the ongoing discussions regarding pay and working conditions.
The upcoming strike reflects broader concerns about the treatment of hourly-paid workers in the public sector and highlights the challenges faced by many employees in Cyprus as they navigate rising living costs. The unions' decision to take industrial action underscores the urgency of addressing these issues and the need for a resolution that meets the demands of hourly-paid government employees.