Social service workers will hold a 24-hour warning strike on Friday, October 23, with the Sectoral Council and the Pan-Cyprian Union “ISOTITA” highlighting long-standing problems that remain unresolved, despite repeated announcements over the years regarding the restructuring and modernization of Social Welfare Services.
Officials warn that the situation has reached its breaking point, citing understaffing, an excessive caseload per employee, increased bureaucracy, and inadequate facilities—with issues even concerning staff safety.
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As they point out in their statement, there has been talk of changes and modernization for the past ten years, without, they argue, any substantive solutions having been provided. At the same time, social needs are increasing and becoming more complex, while social workers are being called upon to handle an ever-growing number of cases.
“Citizens are suffering and are deprived of quality assistance and protection at the very moment they need it,” they note.
The Four Demands
The employees are demanding four specific measures, which they consider necessary to relieve the strain on services and provide meaningful support to citizens.
The first demand is the withdrawal of recent circulars, which, according to the unions, add bureaucratic procedures and shift additional responsibilities onto frontline staff. At the same time, they are calling for all current guidelines to be consolidated into a single document with clear content, in order to reduce ambiguities and the administrative burden.
A second request is to begin transferring emergency financial assistance to the Welfare Benefits Management Service (YDEP). As they explain, this specific responsibility was temporarily assigned to civil servants in 2014; however, twelve years later, it remains their responsibility.
They argue that the current arrangement creates unnecessary duplication of work and inconvenience for citizens, while depriving social workers of valuable time they could devote to protecting children, supporting families, and caring for vulnerable people.
A third demand is the establishment of a maximum number of cases per social worker and per program. The unions are asking that the limit be set based on the severity and complexity of each case, as well as the time required to handle it.
A fourth demand is the implementation of immediate security measures, including a police presence, as well as the expedited relocation of services to suitable offices.
As an illustrative example, they cite an attack that took place last June at the Agioi Anargyroi offices in Larnaca, where, according to the statement, a customer caused damage to the cars of five employees with a metal bar.
The officials are calling for safe workplaces and service areas that also ensure citizens’ privacy.
“Promises are no longer enough”
The Sectoral Council reports that since 2024, when it was established, there have been letters, interventions in Parliament, interviews, specific proposals, work stoppages, and a strike—all without, as it claims, any substantive response to its demands.
According to the statement, at the October 13 meeting, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare asked for more time, stating that a plan for possible future solutions might be available around Christmas.
The officials note that they understand the problems cannot be resolved overnight, but they emphasize that a change in the leadership of the Deputy Ministry cannot mean that the process starts from scratch every time.
“Every change in the Deputy Minister cannot mean that the wait starts all over again,” they point out.
Rally Outside the Deputy Ministry
The strike will take place on Friday, October 23, and will be accompanied by a rally at 9:00 a.m. outside the Ministry of Social Welfare.
The unions are calling on their colleagues, regardless of union affiliation, to participate en masse, while appealing to political parties and members of parliament to actively support their demands.
They are demanding immediate solutions or binding timelines, with specific actions and results by Christmas, emphasizing that dialogue can continue, but promises are no longer enough.
“Citizens are entitled to quality services when they need them. That is why we are demanding solutions now,” they conclude.
*Featured Photo: CNA Archive
