On Thursday, September 17, with trade unions further escalating their criticism of the government. At 10:00 a.m., a protest rally will also take place outside the Presidential Palace.
Read more: “The strike is just the beginning”: Tensions run high between the Ministry of Finance and hourly workers—what they’re complaining about
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
OEKDY SEK, PASYEK, PEO, and DEE KDOKO DEOK attribute the mobilization to the government’s refusal to grant across-the-board wage increases as part of the renewal of collective bargaining agreements for the three-year period 2025–2027.
The unions are demanding 2% increases for 2025 and 3% for each of the years 2026 and 2027, while warning that the 24-hour strike is only the beginning of their actions, leaving open the possibility of escalating to a 48-hour strike if no agreement is reached.
The announcement in its entirety
JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT
24-hour general strike and protest rally by hourly-paid government and educational staff
The trade unions OEKDY SEK, PASYEK PEO, and DEE KDOKO DEOK announce a 24-hour strike on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in which a total of more than 11,000 employees will participate.
The strike involves hourly-paid government employees (OKP) working in ministries, departments, and agencies, school board staff (schools), as well as hourly-wage staff of OKYPY (hospitals).
On the same day, a protest rally will be held outside the Presidential Palace at 10:00 a.m.
The decision to take decisive action was made following the government’s refusal to grant general wage increases for the 2025–2027 period, during the renewal of collective bargaining agreements, despite the positive growth rates of the Cypriot economy and the recorded budget surpluses.
Workers are demanding:
- The renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for the years 2025–2027, with fair wage increases (2% for 2025, 3% for 2026, and 3% for 2027), to offset the high cost of living, given that their wages have remained stagnant or have been cut for over a decade.
- Among other related demands, they are calling for the restoration of the original entry-level pay scales, which remain reduced by 10%, as well as a 0.5% increase in the Pension Fund.
The upcoming mobilization marks the beginning of the unions’ actions, aimed at safeguarding the dignity and purchasing power of the lowest-paid workers in the state and broader public sectors. Due to the government’s stance, the possibility of escalating the measures is being considered, including extending the strike from 24 hours to 48 hours.
In addition to refusing to grant pay raises, the government is eliminating or failing to fill vacant positions; as a result, most departments and agencies are unable to adequately fulfill their missions.
We ask for the public’s understanding regarding the inevitable disruption and call on political leaders and society to support our just cause. We would like to remind you that we devoted a great deal of time to dialogue (15 months) in order to reach an agreement, but unfortunately, the government did not respond as it should have.
The responsibility for whatever happens lies solely with the government, which we call upon, even at this late stage, to acknowledge the need to improve the wages of these employees and to recognize their significant contribution.
From the trade unions OEKDY SEK, PASYEK PEO, and DEE KDOKO DEOK
Monday, September 14, 2026
