Legislative measures proposed to address public sector sick leave abuse in Cyprus

Cyprus Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, is pushing for new legislation to curb the abuse of sick leave within the public sector. This initiative follows an inter-ministerial meeting held on June 19, 2026, which involved 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 role of doctors in validating medical leave, as highlighted in Audit Office reports. While the government aims to protect workers with genuine health issues while preventing abuse, labor unions including OHO-SEK and SIDIKEEK-PEO have demanded a formal dialogue before any legal changes are finalized. Andreas Ilia, General Secretary of OHO-SEK, emphasized that sick leave is a fundamental worker right that must be handled with care, especially in cases of chronic illness. The Ministry has confirmed that consultations with the medical association and other stakeholders will continue. The proposed regulations are intended to apply to the entire public service.