**Hourly Paid Workers Threaten September Strike Over Pay Dispute**
Trade unions representing hourly paid government employees in Cyprus have announced plans for a nationwide 24-hour strike on September 17 if the government does not present a revised pay proposal by that date. The announcement comes after the unions rejected the government's latest offer for a new collective agreement covering the period from 2025 to 2027, which they criticized for offering "zero increases" over the three years despite ongoing economic growth and rising living costs.
The decision to strike was made during a joint meeting of several unions, including the civil servants’ union branch (Oekdy-Sek), the democratic labour federation (Deok), and the construction workers branch of the workers' federation (Pasyek-Peo). Collectively, these unions represent approximately 7,500 hourly paid government employees, around 1,700 workers from the state health services organization (Okypy), and more than 3,000 school staff.
George Constantinou, secretary general of Oekdy-Sek, emphasized the unions' dissatisfaction with the government's proposal submitted on July 21. He stated, “It cannot be accepted by us or by the workers we represent that there is zero increase, at a time when the country’s economy is experiencing very good and positive growth rates.” Constantinou urged the government to reconsider its stance and come up with a more favorable offer that could lead to a consensus.
The unions argue that hourly paid workers have seen only a 1.5 percent pay rise over the past 17 years, compounded by wage reductions during the financial crisis. Constantinou highlighted that the demands made by the unions are justified, given the current economic conditions, and are essential for the workers to maintain a dignified standard of living. He warned that if the strike proceeds, many essential public services would be disrupted, placing the onus on the government to present an acceptable proposal that would improve wages.
Andreas Antoniou, secretary general of Deok, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the government's proposal for failing to address the financial pressures faced by workers. He pointed out that some hourly paid employees earn as little as €867 per month, and those with ten years of service may only take home around €1,170 net. “There is no lower salary in our country today than that received by hourly-paid government staff,” Antoniou stressed, reinforcing the unions' resolve to strike unless a better offer is forthcoming.
Stavros Andreou, secretary general of Pasyek-Peo, added that the government's proposal did not align with the core demands for general salary increases. He noted that many entry-level employees earn less than €1,000 a month while performing essential tasks in the public sector. “The increases given to date for this particular group of staff do not at all correspond to the high growth rates recorded by the economy in recent years,” Andreou stated.
This impending strike follows a previous nationwide strike in June, where hourly paid workers marched to the presidential palace to demand higher wages and the renewal of their collective agreement. Unions have consistently argued that pay has not kept pace with the rising cost of living, prompting their current actions.
As the September deadline approaches, the unions remain hopeful that the government will respond to their concerns with a revised proposal that addresses the financial realities facing hourly paid workers in Cyprus.