Government moves to regulate public sector sick leave

Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris is leading an initiative to introduce new legislation regarding sick leave in the public sector. The primary stated goal of this regulatory measure is to limit the abuse of medical leave privileges. This policy follows an interministerial meeting held on June 19, 2026, which included the Ministers of Finance, Labor, and Health. On Tuesday, Minister Fytiris met with Dr. Petros Agathangelou, President of the Cyprus Medical Association, to discuss the proposal, with further consultations planned. Trade unions, specifically OHO-SEK and SIDIDEK-PEO, have requested a formal dialogue before any final legislation is enacted. Andreas Elias, General Secretary of OHO-SEK, stated that sick leave is a fundamental right for workers dealing with health issues. The unions emphasized that careful management is required, especially for employees suffering from serious or chronic medical conditions.