Social Services workers went on a 24-hour warning strike today, demanding substantive measures to address the chronic problems they face.
“Hiring is happening at a snail’s pace, I’ve never seen resignations like this before, not in the private sector nor in the public sector; the turnover is unbelievable—newly hired colleagues come and go like children, staying just a month before quitting.”
Andri Matthaiou – President of the Social Services Employees’ Sectoral Council of the Pan-Cyprian Union ISOTITA
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The workers’ demands were conveyed to the administration of the Deputy Ministry, as well as to the Deputy Minister herself; however, beyond assurances that the issues would be reviewed, they received no guarantee that solutions would be found.
Another Strike
Employees of the Ministry of Education’s support programs also went on a 24-hour strike today, protesting the failure to fulfill commitments and resolve their labor issues.
“Hundreds of workers have been without any income since May 2026, and hundreds are unemployed, because their jobs were given to appointed teachers working overtime.”
PASEV – PEO and OEKDY – SEK
Employees are demanding a summer bonus with retroactive effect for the summer of 2026, the filling of vacant positions instead of relying on overtime for permanent teachers, and the right to hold a second job without additional restrictions.
“Current legislation does not allow for the payment of unemployment benefits to these permanent employees. For this reason, the Ministry is seeking an alternative solution within the current legal framework and has already forwarded a relevant proposal from the unions to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.”
Ministry of Education
The unions warn that if there is no substantive response, they will proceed with a new island-wide strike on Monday, November 2, and a protest rally outside the Presidential Palace, without ruling out an indefinite strike.
Watch Eleni Michael’s report:
