Holding banners reading “Secure our jobs now” and “Work with rights and dignity,” striking teachers from the Ministry of Education’s support programs gathered outside the Presidential Palace, protesting the failure to pay unemployment benefits upon the expiration of their employment contracts.
The protesting teachers had gathered earlier at the Ministry of Finance and marched through the main streets of Nicosia.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
As part of the event, a delegation went to the Presidential Palace, where it submitted a memorandum to Nicos Christodoulides, signed by the trade unions OEKDY-SEK and PASEV-PEO.
The organizations are calling for immediate action to resolve long-standing labor issues, noting that since 2012, following a decision by the government at the time, employees were transferred to a service procurement arrangement, resulting in them being deprived of significant labor rights, including the right to unemployment benefits during the summer months when the programs are not operating.
They also report that, following union mobilizations, appeals, and other actions, this practice was deemed illegal and abolished by the government, with workers gaining the right to unemployment benefits during the period when the programs are suspended.
At the same time, the unions point out that, despite the passage of the 2026 legislation regulating the employment of fixed-term and permanent workers, as well as part-time employment in the Support Programs, serious issues remain unresolved. They are calling for the full payment of unemployment benefits during the period that the programs remain closed, the timely completion of the job posting procedures to ensure proper staffing, as well as safeguards for employees who have been transferred to other programs.
They argue that, as of November 5, there are still programs for which the staffing process has not been completed, resulting in employees remaining without work or income for months. Special mention is made of permanent employees, who do not work during the summer season and have been without income for five months, as no decision has yet been made to resolve the issue. For this reason, they are requesting a meeting with the President so that a solution can be found through his direct political intervention.
See the memorandum:
