The strike, organised by trade unions OEKDY-SEK, PASYEK-PEO, and DEE KDOKW-DEOK, began at midnight on Tuesday and will conclude at midnight tonight. Workers are demanding increases and other benefits backdated to 1 January 2025.
As part of the industrial action, strikers are holding a protest rally outside the Ministry of Finance at 10:00, followed by a march to the Presidential Palace, with the aim of highlighting their demands and the contribution of hourly-paid staff to the functioning of the public sector.
Beach safety warning
The strike is expected to affect various government services. The Ministry of Interior has warned that lifeguard coverage on beaches island-wide will also be impacted, urging the public to exercise particular caution while swimming and engaging in water activities.
Hospitals
The Pan-Cyprian Union of Government Doctors (PASYKI) made clear it does not accept any attempt to shift onto doctors the consequences arising from the hourly-paid staff strike at public hospitals. PASYKI expressed understanding for the strikers' demands, while stressing that responsibility for ensuring the smooth and safe operation of public hospitals during the action rests solely with the Health Sector Organisation (OKYpY), which, it noted, should have drawn up the necessary operational plan in advance.
The OKYpY said in a statement that public hospitals will operate with skeleton staff, giving "absolute priority to patient safety and the uninterrupted management of emergency cases." Accident and Emergency departments will function normally, and the care of hospitalised patients will continue unaffected.
Source: cna
