Cyprus public sector hourly workers announce nationwide strike

Approximately 11,000 hourly-paid government workers in Cyprus are scheduled to hold a 24-hour nationwide strike on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The industrial action, organized by unions OEKDY-SEK, PASYEK-PEO, and DEOK-KDOKO, will include a protest rally at the Presidential Palace at 10:00 a.m. The strike will affect various public services, including hospitals, schools, the Forestry Department, the Fire Service, and the Road Transport Department. The Ministry of Interior has explicitly warned that lifeguard coverage across all districts will be impacted, urging the public to exercise caution while swimming.

The strike follows a breakdown in negotiations regarding the renewal of collective agreements for the 2025–2027 period. The unions are demanding general wage increases, while the Ministry of Finance has rejected a proposed 8% pay hike, citing an unsustainable fiscal cost of €50 million over three years. Government officials noted that while most union demands have been accepted, the wage increase request remains a major point of contention. The Ministry of Finance has urged the unions to return to the negotiating table to prevent further service disruptions. Unions have warned that if their demands are not met, they may escalate their actions to a 48-hour strike.