Unions oppose new waste landfill tax in Cyprus

Cypriot trade unions OHO-SEK and SIDINEK-PEO have expressed formal opposition to a proposed landfill tax on municipal waste. In a letter to the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, the unions detailed that the regulation imposes a €10 per tonne fee until the end of 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, the fee is scheduled to increase by €5 annually until it reaches €70 per tonne. This cost is intended to be added to the current existing cost of approximately €40 per tonne. The unions argue that these additional charges will be passed on to citizens through increased municipal tax rates. They contend that this contradicts recent assurances that local government reform would lead to more cost-effective services. The unions also fear the measure could be unfairly attributed to the inefficiency or staffing costs of new local government organizations. Furthermore, they warned that such financial pressure might be used as a pretext to advocate for the privatization of public services.