**Title: Improved Government Proposal to be Presented to Hourly-Paid Workers**
In a significant development aimed at addressing the ongoing dispute with hourly-paid public sector workers, an enhanced government proposal is set to be presented to employees for their consideration. This announcement follows a meeting held on Monday between union representatives and President Nikos Christodoulides.
Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, who attended the meeting at the presidential palace, characterized the new proposal as a notable improvement over previous discussions. He expressed optimism about the potential for reaching an agreement, stating, “The government understands the demands.” The meeting included representatives from major unions, including SEK, PEO, and Deok.
While Keravnos refrained from disclosing the specific details of the proposal, he indicated that it would be submitted to the unions' competent bodies for further evaluation. He expressed hope that the new offer would lead to a satisfactory resolution for both the government and the workers. “I hope and expect that there will be a conclusion,” he added.
When questioned about the possibility of pay increases being included in the proposal, Keravnos did not provide a definitive answer. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship between the government and the unions, noting that this partnership has historically been based on mutual understanding.
In response to inquiries about how the government would address any potential deadlock in negotiations, Keravnos highlighted the tradition of dialogue in Cyprus. “When there are differences, the discussion continues,” he stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering social dialogue.
Union representatives echoed the sentiment that the new proposal represents progress. PEO representative Stavros Andreou described the meeting as constructive, stating that the proposal would be presented to a workers' assembly to gauge their feedback and determine the next steps. “We feel good about putting it before the workers for discussion,” Andreou remarked, noting that the offer meets some of the workers' demands.
SEK representative Giorgos Constantinou also acknowledged the improvements in the proposal, although he chose not to elaborate further, indicating that the decision would ultimately rest with the workers. He expressed confidence in the process, stating, “We believe that, through discussion with the workers, we can have a good result.”
Similarly, Deok’s Andreas Antoniou confirmed that the proposal had been enhanced and expressed the union's intention to support it. He emphasized the importance of respecting the negotiation process, stating, “Since we are now in a process which we want to succeed, I think we must respect the process, because the aim is to reach an agreement and for everyone to be satisfied.”
As the unions prepare to present the improved proposal to their members, the outcome of this negotiation process remains to be seen. The discussions come at a time when the relationship between the government and public sector workers is under scrutiny, with both sides keen to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of hourly-paid employees while maintaining a collaborative spirit.
The unions are expected to convene soon to discuss the proposal in detail and to facilitate feedback from their members. The outcome of this engagement will likely shape the future of labor relations in the public sector and could set a precedent for similar negotiations in the future.